Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Buba Marwa, has raised concerns over the rising rate of drug and substance abuse in Nigeria, warning that it poses a serious threat to national security, economic growth, and social stability.
Marwa made the remarks over the weekend in Abuja at the third annual “Fly Above the High” conference organised by the Recovery Advocacy Network.
He was represented at the event by Julius Dzer, the agency’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) strategic commander.
According to Marwa, the impact of drug addiction extends far beyond individual users, affecting families, communities, and the nation’s development trajectory.
He said the NDLEA has intensified efforts to combat both the supply of illicit drugs and the demand for them, noting that substance abuse continues to erode personal and societal progress.
“It affects personal development. It affects societal development. It affects the economy.
It affects the security of the country,” he said, warning Nigerians—particularly youths—against experimenting with drugs.
Marwa added that addiction alters brain function and makes recovery difficult, ultimately undermining the potential of young people and destabilising families.
Also speaking at the event, Boni Haruna, a former minister of youth development, stressed the need for collective action in addressing drug abuse, describing addiction as both disruptive and destructive.
He noted that social influence plays a critical role in substance abuse, warning that individuals who engage in drug use often become a burden to themselves, their families, and society.
“The war against drug addiction should not be left to a few groups,” Haruna said, calling for broader participation in prevention and awareness efforts.
In his remarks, Adekunle Adesina, president of the Recovery Advocacy Network, emphasised the urgency of early intervention in tackling substance use disorders.
He warned that delayed action could worsen outcomes for individuals and families, urging Nigerians to treat addiction as both a medical and social emergency requiring immediate and decisive response.