The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has called for stronger collaboration between the media and anti-drug stakeholders to tackle Nigeria’s growing substance abuse challenge, insisting that a drug-free nation is achievable through sustained collective action.
Speaking through the agency’s Deputy Director, Mrs. Rita Geh, at a Media Capacity Building Programme organised by the Nigerian Online Media Alliance (NOMA) in Lagos to mark the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Marwa said journalists have a pivotal role in shaping public attitudes towards drug prevention and advocacy.
The workshop, held at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, was themed “Responsible Media, Drug-Free Nigeria: The Journalist’s Role in Prevention and Advocacy.”
It brought together journalists, public health experts, policymakers, anti-drug advocates and other stakeholders to explore the media’s role in addressing substance abuse.
Describing journalists as “shapers of perception, architects of public opinion, and indispensable partners in national development,” Marwa stressed that law enforcement alone cannot win the fight against drug abuse.
He warned that Africa faces an alarming rise in drug use, with projections indicating a 40 per cent increase by 2030, adding that Nigeria remains at the epicentre of the challenge due to its population size and strategic location.
Citing the 2018 National Drug Use Survey, Marwa noted that 14.4 per cent of Nigerians use drugs, significantly higher than the global average of 5.6 per cent.
He said the NDLEA has adopted a balanced strategy that combines drug supply reduction with prevention, education and rehabilitation initiatives.
Highlighting the agency’s achievements, Marwa disclosed that the NDLEA has recorded over 77,859 arrests, secured more than 14,122 convictions and seized over 15 million kilograms of illicit drugs in recent years.
He added that within the first ten months of 2025 alone, the agency made more than 19,000 arrests, secured about 3,000 convictions, confiscated millions of kilograms of narcotics and destroyed large cannabis plantations across the country.
According to him, the agency’s operations have not only disrupted illicit drug supply chains but have also weakened criminal networks linked to organised crime and terrorism.
Despite these successes, Marwa maintained that reducing the demand for illicit drugs remains the most effective long-term solution.
He urged journalists to embrace responsible reporting by prioritising accuracy, public education and evidence-based information over sensationalism.
According to him, the media should amplify stories of prevention, rehabilitation and recovery rather than focusing solely on criminality, warning that stigma often discourages people battling addiction from seeking treatment.
Marwa also encouraged journalists to counter misinformation, promote healthy lifestyles and support national anti-drug campaigns, especially among young people.
He reaffirmed the NDLEA’s commitment to working closely with the media through sustained engagement, transparency and advocacy.
The NDLEA chairman further highlighted the agency’s ongoing prevention initiatives, including school sensitisation programmes, community outreach, rehabilitation services and the nationwide War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, which he said has reached millions of Nigerians.
He also called on parents, teachers, religious leaders and community influencers to play active roles in preventing substance abuse through early education, open conversations and supportive environments.
Expressing optimism, Marwa said the vision of a drug-free Nigeria remains attainable.
“The vision of a drug-free Nigeria is not a distant dream. It is achievable through commitment, consistency and collective action.
Together, we can build a nation where young people make informed choices and where communities remain safe, productive and free from the scourge of drugs,” he said.
