By Isaac Mission

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retired Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa, has called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, civil society organisations, the media, women’s groups and youth-focused bodies to address the growing challenge of drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.

Marwa made the appeal while receiving the President and Founder of the Initiative for Women’s Accelerated Development in Africa (INWOAD), Evelyn Onyilo, and members of the organisation’s executive team during a courtesy visit to the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja.

He described drug abuse as one of Nigeria’s most pressing social challenges, noting that the increasing involvement of young people and women in substance use demands urgent, coordinated and sustained action.

According to the NDLEA boss, the scale of the problem makes it impossible for the agency to tackle it alone, stressing that law enforcement efforts must be supported by public awareness campaigns, education, prevention programmes and community mobilisation.

Marwa explained that addressing drug abuse requires more than intercepting traffickers and seizing illicit substances. He said there is also a need to focus on reducing demand through early education and preventive interventions.

He disclosed that an estimated 15 million Nigerians use drugs, representing roughly one in every seven citizens. He added that women account for a significant proportion of drug users, with approximately one out of every four users being female.

The NDLEA chairman also expressed concern over the widespread use of cannabis, revealing that more than 10 million Nigerians consume the substance, a situation he said underscores the urgency of broad-based preventive measures.

He urged stakeholders to move beyond occasional awareness campaigns and establish sustained platforms that target mothers, families, schools and communities.

Marwa welcomed INWOAD’s commitment to direct sensitisation and advocacy, particularly among women, noting that mothers and female community leaders play vital roles in shaping attitudes within families and society.

“NDLEA cannot do it alone,” he said, emphasising the importance of partnerships with organisations such as INWOAD and the media in taking anti-drug messages to communities across the country.

He highlighted media campaigns, seminars, advocacy programmes and public enlightenment initiatives as essential components of the nation’s response to drug abuse.

Marwa also noted that the agency has continued to engage youth-focused organisations and influential groups, including the Performing Musicians Employers’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN), the Actors Guild of Nigeria and other stakeholders, to expand the reach of its prevention campaigns.

He said celebrities, entertainers, traditional leaders, women leaders and other influential Nigerians have important roles to play in discouraging drug use, especially among young people.

The NDLEA chairman assured INWOAD of the agency’s willingness to support and partner with the organisation in its planned workshop and summit on drug abuse.

He also acknowledged his long-standing relationship with Evelyn Onyilo, describing her as a respected media professional who has extended her advocacy efforts to combating drug abuse.

Speaking during the visit, Onyilo commended Marwa for what she described as his dedication and achievements in the fight against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

She said the purpose of the visit was to explore areas of collaboration that would strengthen prevention campaigns, particularly among women, adolescents and young people.

According to Onyilo, INWOAD, established in 2015, is committed to promoting gender equality, empowering women and girls, advancing women’s participation in leadership and supporting initiatives that improve the wellbeing of women across Africa.

She said tackling drug abuse aligns with the organisation’s broader goal of protecting families, empowering women and creating opportunities for young people to lead healthy and productive lives.

As part of the visit, Phenomenal People Magazine, in collaboration with INWOAD, presented Marwa with the “Champion of Drug-Free Nigeria Award” in recognition of his contributions to the national anti-drug campaign.

Onyilo said INWOAD is prepared to work with the NDLEA through media campaigns, seminars, youth programmes, advocacy and community engagement initiatives aimed at taking anti-drug messages to homes, schools and grassroots communities.

She also announced that the organisation would host an International Women’s Leadership Summit in Abuja in October 2026, where drug abuse and its impact on women, families and young people will feature prominently among issues for discussion.

Onyilo invited the NDLEA to participate and provide technical support at the summit, describing the agency as a key partner in efforts to build a safer and healthier society.

She emphasised that women must be positioned at the forefront of prevention campaigns because of their influence in shaping families and communities, adding that the partnership with the NDLEA would help mobilise women as advocates for drug-free homes and communities.