The African Union (AU) Commission has said that the formulation of the new action plan on drug control and crime prevention on the continent will not be decided without the pivotal role of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The AU Commission made the remark during an assessment visit to NDLEA‘s National Headquarters in Abuja by a three-member delegation on Monday, June 30, 2025.
The delegation included the Team Lead, Dr. Olubusayo Akinola; Head of Social Welfare, Drug Control and Crime Prevention, Dr. Abiola Olaleye; and Senior Drug Control Consultant, Prof. Johan Strijdom.
According to a statement made available to Thelensng by the Agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy , Femi Babafemi, the visit was to evaluate the African Union Plan of Action on Drug Control and Crime Prevention (2019-2025).
Speaking during their engagement, Dr. Akinola said: “We’re here to understand the status of implementation of this continental action plan on drug control and crime prevention. We are in the process of re-evaluating and starting another continental action plan that will take us from 2026 to 2030.
“So, we have identified a few countries to understand how this action plan was actually implemented in the member states. And if there are gaps and the new and current emerging trends that we can include. So, we understand very well the work of NDLEA and we believe that the formulation of the new action plan will not be finalized and concluded until we have inputs from NDLEA Nigeria, because you are basically on the forefront when it comes to law enforcement on the entire continent.”
The delegation commended the NDLEA for its sustained provision of critical and policy-relevant data, which has significantly informed and shaped the work of the Commission over the years.
They noted that the visit was aimed at obtaining a comprehensive update on the current status of implementation of national drug control strategies, identifying operational and institutional gaps, and exploring potential areas for technical assistance, particularly in relation to capacity development, forensic science capabilities, canine detection units, and other strategic enablers of drug control efforts.
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, who welcomed the delegation, emphasised the importance of the mission, explaining that he considered it imperative to receive the team personally due to the strategic relevance of their engagement.
“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. This grounded, evidence-informed approach will undoubtedly result in a more pragmatic and responsive framework for implementation,” Gen. Marwa said.
He stressed the urgent need to address the continent’s growing drug challenge, adding that while global projections estimate a 10–11% rise in drug use prevalence, Africa is expected to experience a surge of up to 40%.
“This disparity signals a looming crisis that demands coordinated and accelerated action. We deeply appreciate the AU’s leadership in this space and commend your proactive efforts,” he further stated.
