ECOWAS, Nigeria Launch New Offensive Against Drug Threat, Developes Master Plan.
By Raymond Enoch
In a strategic move to combat the growing challenges of drug abuse and trafficking, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has launched a four-day stakeholders’ workshop aimed at supporting Nigeria in the development of a new National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP). The high-level workshop, which commenced on October 6 and is scheduled to run through October 9, 2025, is convening 30 key stakeholders from various sectors, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Federal Ministry of Health, and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).
The workshop is designed to produce a comprehensive, evidence-based, and inclusive framework to address Nigeria’s drug control priorities. It aligns with both regional strategies and international drug control conventions, with the aim of strengthening the country’s institutional and operational responses to drug-related issues.
Representing the ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, Prof. Fatou Sow SARR, the Principal Programme Officer and Head of the ECOWAS Drug Prevention and Control Division, Dr. Daniel Amankwaah, emphasized the significance of the initiative. According to him, the effort marks a critical step in boosting Nigeria’s capabilities in the war against drugs, describing the collaboration as a model for regional support and integration.
“The development of this Master Plan is not just a national imperative but a regional necessity,” Dr. Amankwaah said. “It is our collective responsibility to ensure that Nigeria, as a major player in West Africa, is equipped with the tools and strategies necessary to curb drug abuse and illicit trafficking.”
Echoing this sentiment, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), reaffirmed the agency’s unwavering commitment to leading the process. He assured stakeholders of the NDLEA’s readiness to provide coordination, technical expertise, and long-term oversight in both the drafting and execution of the new drug control strategy.
“As the lead agency in drug law enforcement and prevention, the NDLEA remains resolute in its duty to drive the national drug control agenda,” Marwa stated. “This Master Plan will serve as the blueprint for a coordinated, multi-sectoral response that will have lasting impact.”
The workshop is part of ECOWAS’ broader mandate to promote peace, security, and public health across West Africa. Nigeria’s new Master Plan, once5 completed, is expected to prioritize prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and enforcement, while fostering collaboration between government agencies, civil society, and international partners.
