Abuja: The African Union (AU) Commission has emphasised that the ongoing development of a new continental action plan on drug control and crime prevention would be incomplete without contributions from Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Dr. Olubusayo Akinola, Head of Social Welfare, Drug Control, and Crime Prevention at the AU Commission, made this remark during an assessment visit to the NDLEA National Headquarters.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Akinola led a three-member delegation comprising Dr. Abiola Olaleye, Senior Drug Epidemiology and Research Officer, and Prof. Johan Strijdom, Senior Drug Control Consultant. The visit aimed to evaluate the implementation of the current African Union Plan of Action on Drug Control and Crime Prevention (2019-2025) and to gather insights for developing a new plan covering 2026 to 2030.
Dr. Akinola stated that the AU delegation aimed to understand the status of the continental action plan on drug control and crime prevention implementation. He emphasised that the new plan would be incomplete without NDLEA’s input, acknowledging Nigeria’s frontline role in law enforcement on the continent.
The AU delegation commended NDLEA for consistently providing critical, policy-relevant data that has shaped the commission’s work over the years. The team highlighted the need to identify institutional and operational gaps and explore potential areas for technical assistance, including capacity building, forensic science, canine detection units, and other strategic enablers of effective drug control.
Welcoming the delegation, NDLEA Chairman, Retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, underscored the importance of the mission, stating that he chose to receive the team personally due to the strategic nature of their engagement. Marwa expressed satisfaction with the AU’s practical approach to implementing the plan, noting that field consultations ensure a pragmatic and responsive framework.
Marwa also highlighted the urgency of Africa’s drug crisis, pointing out that while global projections estimate a 10-11 per cent increase in drug use prevalence, Africa could face a surge of up to 40 per cent. He stressed that this disparity signals a looming crisis that demands coordinated and accelerated action, expressing appreciation for the AU’s leadership and proactive engagement in tackling this challenge.