Nigeria and UNODC Launch Weeklong Anti‑Drug Campaign Ahead of World Drug Day

Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) opened a weeklong series of events in Abuja to mark the 2026 World Drug Day. The programme, running from June 19 to June 26, follows the theme “The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses” and aims to confront both long‑standing drug threats and emerging risks from synthetic substances and online illicit markets.

NDLEA Chairman Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa highlighted modernisation of the agency’s operations, the expansion of the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) outreach, and intensified “Offensive Action” measures that include arrests, prosecutions and asset forfeiture under the Proceeds of Crime Act. The campaign features faith‑based activities, an anti‑drug walk, student essay contests and youth outreach, culminating in a policy‑focused gathering at the State House Conference Centre with government officials, diplomats and international partners. The UNODC warned that coordinated, technology‑driven responses are essential as drug networks become more sophisticated.