The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), has showcased Nigeria’s drug control reforms at the United Nations General Assembly, calling for stronger international intelligence-sharing, tougher action against illicit financial networks and increased investment in drug control institutions in developing countries.
Marwa made the call while presenting Nigeria’s statement at the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly in New York on Monday, October 12.
He was represented by the NDLEA Secretary, Shadrach Haruna.
The session, themed “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations that Delivers for All,” provided a platform for the NDLEA boss to highlight the agency’s transformation into an integrated, intelligence-led and people-centred organisation combining law enforcement, public health, technology, financial investigations and international cooperation.
Marwa disclosed that between January 2025 and September 2026, the NDLEA arrested 38,242 suspects, seized more than 5.8 million kilogrammes of illicit drugs valued at over ₦2.5 trillion, and secured 6,232 convictions.
He added that more than 16,303 people received counselling, treatment or rehabilitation during the period, while the agency’s prevention and sensitisation programmes reached millions of Nigerians.
According to him, the evolving sophistication of drug trafficking networks, the use of technology for illicit activities and the rapid movement of criminal proceeds across borders have made it necessary to adopt a broader approach to drug control.
Marwa said the NDLEA was increasingly focused on dismantling major trafficking networks, organised criminal structures and the financial systems sustaining the illicit drug trade, rather than measuring performance solely by arrests and seizures.
He also highlighted the agency’s Alternative Development initiative, which is being piloted in three communities in Ondo State to help residents transition from illicit cannabis cultivation to legitimate agricultural production.
The NDLEA chairman stressed that sustainable drug control required viable economic alternatives for affected communities, noting that such interventions could strengthen food security, community resilience and national security.
He further cited the agency’s Drug Integrity Test and Visa E-Administration System as examples of how digital innovation could improve accessibility, efficiency, transparency and accountability in public administration.
Marwa said these reforms were being consolidated under the National Drug Control Master Plan 2026–2030, which focuses on six pillars: drug supply reduction, drug demand reduction, access to controlled medicines, governance and coordination, alternative development, and disruption of the illicit drug economy.
Marwa Calls for Stronger Global Cooperation
The NDLEA boss urged countries to strengthen timely intelligence-sharing to prevent trafficking networks from exploiting gaps between jurisdictions.
He also called for intensified action against illicit financial activities through financial investigations, asset tracing and recovery, alongside stronger support for drug prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration.
Marwa further advocated expanded international support for alternative livelihood programmes and capacity development for law enforcement officers to match the growing sophistication of drug cartels.
He urged international partners to invest in institutions, particularly in developing countries, through technology, training, forensic capabilities, treatment infrastructure and sustained technical assistance.
Describing Nigeria’s experience as an ongoing process rather than a finished model, Marwa reaffirmed the NDLEA’s readiness to share lessons, learn from other countries and work with the United Nations and international partners to translate global commitments into measurable results.