NDLEA, UNODC Unveil 2026 World Drug Day Activities

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have unveiled the 2026 World Drug Day weeklong activities, with the anti-narcotics agency reaffirming its commitment to dismantling criminal drug networks and cutting off their financial lifelines.

They unveiled the programme during a joint press briefing held at the NDLEA national headquarters in Abuja yesterday.

Chairman/chief executive officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (rtd), said this year’s World Drug Day theme, “The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses,” reflects the changing realities of the global drug landscape.

Marwa, who was represented by the secretary of the agency, Mr. Shadrach Haruna, also noted that while traditional drug-related challenges remain, emerging threats such as synthetic drugs, sophisticated trafficking syndicates and digital illicit markets require innovative and technology-driven responses.

According to him, the NDLEA has continued to modernise its operations while balancing enforcement efforts with preventive measures through its flagship War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative.

He said, “At the NDLEA, we have long recognised that old strategies cannot solve new problems. Under the continuous support of the Federal Government and our diverse stakeholders, we have heavily modernised our operations and balanced our enforcement capabilities with aggressive social advocacy.”

He disclosed that the weeklong activities commenced with a special Juma’at service at the National Mosque, Abuja.

He said a Walk Against Drugs, organised in collaboration with Baze University, Nile University and the MTN Foundation, would take place today,  beginning from the African University of Science and Technology, Galadimawa, Abuja.

Other activities include a thanksgiving church service on Sunday, June 21; the final stage of a national essay competition for students on Monday, June 22; an NGO Day on Tuesday, June 23; and a Youth Out-of-School Programme targeting youths in markets and motor parks across the Federal Capital Territory on Wednesday, June 24.

The activities will culminate in a grand finale scheduled for June 26 at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, where government officials, diplomats and international partners are expected to unveil new policy frameworks aimed at addressing contemporary drug challenges.

In his remarks, UNODC country representative, Cheikh Ousmane Toure, represented by deputy country representative, Danielo Campisi said the global drug problem continues to evolve and requires coordinated responses.

He noted that Nigeria faces the dual challenge of addressing longstanding drug-related issues while adapting to emerging threats.

“The problem persists, but it is not insurmountable. The challenges are evolving, but so are our solutions, and our response must be united, informed and forward-looking,” Campisi said.