Nigeria, ECOWAS, UNODC Partner to Draft New National Drug Control Master Plan
NDLEA Chief Buba Marwa Urges Inclusion of Synthetic Drugs and Dark-Web Trafficking in Nigeria’s Next Drug Control Plan
7th Oct, 2025
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), has called on stakeholders developing Nigeria’s next National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP 2026–2030) to ensure it effectively tackles emerging threats such as synthetic drugs and dark-web trafficking.
Speaking on Monday in Niger State at the opening of a five-day workshop to draft the fifth edition of the NDCMP, Marwa emphasized the need for a forward-looking and practical strategy. The event, a residential retreat funded by the ECOWAS Commission and supported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), brought together key players in the nation’s drug control efforts.
“The task before us is both strategic and historic,” Marwa said. “The drug problem continues to evolve, and so must our response. The NDCMP 2026–2030 must be visionary yet practical, comprehensive yet targeted, and aligned both nationally and globally. It must build on past achievements while boldly confronting new threats—from synthetic drugs to dark-web trafficking, poly-substance use, and the illicit financial flows sustaining the trade.”
He urged participants to bring their expertise and dedication to the process, stressing that the workshop was not just about producing another document but about shaping a collective vision to protect the health, security, and wellbeing of Nigerians. Marwa reaffirmed NDLEA’s commitment to leading and coordinating the implementation of the new Master Plan while strengthening collaboration across Nigeria and the ECOWAS sub-region.
Marwa also expressed gratitude to the ECOWAS Commission, European Union, UNODC, civil society organizations, professional bodies, and private sector partners for their continued support, noting that “together, we are shaping a future where Nigeria and West Africa will be safer, healthier, and more secure.”
In his remarks, UNODC Country Representative, Cheikh Ousmane, represented by Dr. Akanidomo Ibanga, commended Nigeria’s sustained drug control efforts but warned that global dynamics—such as new psychoactive substances and organized crime—continue to influence local realities. “Our response must be adaptive, coordinated, and inclusive,” he said, adding that the new Master Plan would serve as the framework to harmonize national priorities with international standards, including the UN drug control conventions, the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, and the African Union Plan of Action on Drug Control.
Also speaking, ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, Prof. Fatou Sow Sarr, represented by Dr. Daniel Amankwaah, praised Nigeria’s proactive approach to developing strategies aligned with global best practices. She noted that with the current NDCMP expiring this year, the new plan must respond to evolving drug threats, trafficking patterns, and the rising cases of substance use disorders.
“The ECOWAS Commission is committed to supporting Nigeria with technical and financial assistance in developing a robust, evidence-based Master Plan that aligns with regional and international standards,” she assured.
Representatives from the Federal Ministries of Education, Health, Agriculture, Budget and Planning, as well as NACA, NAFDAC, EFCC, and NFIU, also participated in the workshop, contributing to discussions on shaping Nigeria’s next phase of coordinated and effective drug control.