ABUJA (Chatnewstv.com) — The African Union Commission on Monday described Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) as “central” to the formulation of the continent’s new action plan on drug control and crime prevention, warning that Africa must act fast to avert a projected 40% surge in drug use prevalence.
Speaking during an evaluation visit to NDLEA’s headquarters in Abuja, Dr. Olubusayo Akinola, Head of Social Welfare, Drug Control and Crime Prevention at the AU Commission, said the agency’s role in shaping drug policy on the continent is indispensable.
“We understand very well the work of NDLEA and believe that the formulation of the new action plan will not be finalized or concluded until we have inputs from NDLEA Nigeria,” Akinola said. “You are basically on the forefront when it comes to law enforcement on the entire continent.”
The three-member AU delegation — which included Dr. Abiola Olaleye, Senior Drug Epidemiology and Research Officer, and Prof. Johan Strijdom, Senior Drug Control Consultant — is currently reviewing the 2019–2025 African Union Plan of Action on Drug Control and Crime Prevention as part of preparations for the next framework spanning 2026–2030.
Akinola said the visit aimed to assess how effectively the current plan has been implemented across member states and to identify emerging trends and operational gaps.
“We’ve identified a few countries to understand how the action plan was actually implemented,” she noted, adding that the review would inform a more comprehensive and responsive strategy for the future.
In his remarks, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) welcomed the delegation and underscored the significance of their mission, describing it as “strategic” and “evidence-informed.”
“We are particularly pleased that the African Union is giving due weight to the implementation of the continental action plan, not merely as a theoretical exercise, but by undertaking direct field consultations with national counterparts,” Marwa said.
Marwa, who has led Nigeria’s anti-narcotics agency through a widely recognized reform and expansion effort, warned of an impending drug epidemic if urgent measures are not taken.
“While global projections estimate a 10–11% rise in drug use prevalence, Africa is expected to experience a surge of up to 40%,” he said. “This disparity signals a looming crisis that demands coordinated and accelerated action.”
He lauded the AU Commission for its leadership, noting the agency’s commitment to data-driven interventions and regional cooperation.
The AU team also commended NDLEA for its continuous contribution of policy-relevant data and technical cooperation across the region, and expressed interest in strengthening capacities in forensic science, canine detection, and institutional development.
