UPDATE: Nigeria’s escalating drug abuse crisis necessitates an urgent, coordinated response from all sectors of society, according to Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Speaking on ARISE News earlier today, Babafemi highlighted the critical need for federal, state, and community engagement to combat the issue.
Babafemi’s comments come in the wake of a shocking incident involving the recovery of a decomposing body of a young man from the Opalindi underbridge canal in Lagos Island. Reports suggest the victim was under the influence of illicit drugs at the time of his disappearance, underscoring the dire consequences of unchecked substance abuse.
“There is no need to live in denial that we have a problem or a challenge of substance abuse in the country,” Babafemi stated, referencing the alarming findings of the 2018 Drug Use Survey Report.
According to the 2025 World Drug Report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Nigeria’s drug use rate stands at 14.4 percent, nearly three times the global average. Millions of Nigerians are struggling with drug use disorders, making immediate action imperative.
Babafemi outlined the NDLEA’s dual approach to tackling the crisis: reducing drug demand and curbing supply. The agency is actively engaging the public through its War Against Drug Abuse initiative, which includes outreach programs in schools, markets, and local communities.
“We are mobilising everybody. The approach is a whole-of-society approach,” he affirmed, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among faith-based groups, civil society organizations, and the general public.
Rehabilitation is also a cornerstone of the agency’s strategy. Currently, there are 30 treatment and counselling centres across Nigeria, with plans to add seven more in the current budget year. Babafemi reassured that support is readily available for anyone willing to seek help.
The NDLEA has lauded the Lagos State Government for its proactive measures, including drug integrity tests for commercial drivers. “That was an awesome initiative by the state. It encourages ownership of this effort,” Babafemi noted.
He further explained that the deterrent effect of such programs is vital. “The fact that drivers know they will be tested discourages them from going on the road if they are positive,” he added.
Babafemi concluded with a call to action, stressing that sustained collaboration across all levels of government and society is critical to reversing Nigeria’s growing drug abuse rates. “We cannot rest on our oars. Everybody has a role to play if we are to cut down the demand for illicit substances, especially among our young people,” he stated.
This urgent situation demands immediate attention. Citizens and stakeholders alike must act decisively to address Nigeria’s drug abuse crisis before it spirals further out of control.
