By Gbenga Nicholas, Abuja
The Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum (NGSF) has thrown its full support behind the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), stating that a successful war against drug abuse and trafficking is critical to the realization of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
This was the key message in a communique delivered on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, by Mrs. Bamidele Dapo Abiodun, First Lady of Ogun State, on behalf of the Forum’s Chairperson, Prof. (Mrs.) Olufolake AbdulRazaq, First Lady of Kwara State. The communique was issued at the end of a high-level training workshop organized by the NDLEA in collaboration with the NGSF in Abuja.
The Forum emphasized the urgency of confronting Nigeria’s growing drug crisis, warning that substance abuse has deeply infiltrated communities and now poses a major threat to public health, security, and national development. “Successfully tackling the drug scourge will remarkably ensure that the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President is achievable for holistic national development,” the governors’ wives declared.
They lauded NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), for his “outstanding leadership and globally recognized achievements” in the fight against illicit drugs, citing milestones in arrests, prosecutions, seizures, and rehabilitation.
Among the resolutions adopted, the NGSF called for the immediate establishment of State Drug Control Committees (SDCCs) in all 36 states of Nigeria—an increase from the current nine. They also urged the creation of Local Government Drug Abuse Committees to promote grassroots-based interventions.
In a bold move, the Forum called on the Federal Government and state governors to declare a national state of emergency on drug use and trafficking, stressing that coordinated action and resource mobilization are essential to dismantling the menace.
Other key resolutions include:
Strengthening the Drug Abuse Prevention Treatment and Care (DPTC) programs as flagship projects in each state, to be chaired by First Ladies.
Expanding partnerships with the private sector, CSOs, and key stakeholders to support community-based projects.
Enhancing collaboration with NDLEA state commands for integrated enforcement, prevention, treatment, and recovery strategies.
Promoting sustainable, health-centered development strategies that address the root causes of drug abuse while reducing stigma and supporting inclusion.
The Forum reiterated that states have a critical role in Nigeria’s national drug control efforts, especially in deploying localized solutions that address community-specific needs.
