By Atiku Sarki, Abuja
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to implementing a balanced, evidence-based and people-centred approach to drug control by strengthening prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and access to essential controlled medicines for patients with legitimate medical needs.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, made this known in a keynote address delivered on his behalf by Mrs. Olufowobi-Yusuf Adeola, Director of the Food and Drug Services Department, at the Maiden National Drug Use Summit held on July 8–9, 2026, in Abuja.
According to the Minister, drug use remains a major public health and development challenge in Nigeria.
He cited the 2018 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) survey, which found that 14.4 per cent of Nigerians aged 15 to 64 had used drugs, with cannabis remaining the most commonly abused substance alongside increasing misuse of prescription opioids such as tramadol and codeine.
He said the growing burden of substance abuse poses serious threats to public health, national security and socio-economic development, stressing that effective responses must extend beyond law enforcement to include prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.
Professor Pate emphasized that while efforts to curb illicit drug use would continue, the government also has a duty to ensure patients suffering from severe pain caused by cancer, surgery, sickle cell disease and other medical conditions have access to controlled medicines such as morphine and pethidine.
He said denying patients appropriate pain relief because of fears of drug diversion is unacceptable, adding that government policies would continue to strike a balance between effective drug control and access to essential medicines.
The Minister noted that while security agencies would focus on reducing the supply of illicit drugs, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare would lead demand reduction through prevention programmes, treatment and rehabilitation, stressing that addiction is a medical condition requiring evidence-based care rather than stigma or punishment.
He disclosed that the Ministry would strengthen health system responses by expanding screening, brief intervention and referral services for substance use disorders across primary healthcare centres and general hospitals, while increasing accredited treatment and rehabilitation facilities and training more healthcare workers in medically assisted treatment.
Professor Pate also announced plans to improve accountability across the pharmaceutical supply chain by strengthening warehouse security for narcotic medicines, deploying inventory management systems and intensifying joint inspections with regulatory and enforcement agencies to ensure proper tracking of controlled medicines.
He added that the Ministry would collaborate with the Ministries of Education, Youth and Women Affairs to promote evidence-based drug prevention programmes in schools and communities while tackling stigma to encourage people living with substance use disorders to seek treatment.
The Minister commended the Kaduna State Government for its efforts in addressing drug abuse and urged state governments to strengthen data systems, fund state-specific intervention plans and invest in treatment and rehabilitation services.
He also acknowledged the support of development partners, policymakers, civil society organisations, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other stakeholders, noting that addressing substance abuse requires sustained collaboration across all sectors.
Professor Pate said the success of the summit would ultimately be measured by fewer young people engaging in drug use, increased access to effective pain management, stronger families and safer communities.
Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the event, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, represented by Dr. Abubakar Ibrahim Kana, said combating illicit drugs is a shared responsibility involving government institutions, healthcare providers, communities, security agencies, civil society organisations, faith-based groups, the private sector and international partners.
He warned that substance use disorders continue to fuel mental illness, family breakdown, unemployment, poor educational outcomes and criminal activities, particularly among young Nigerians.
Akume reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment under the Renewed Hope Agenda to strengthening healthcare, promoting mental health, empowering young people and reinforcing institutions tackling drug abuse.
Earlier, the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Muhammad Buba Marwa, described the summit as timely and aligned with global efforts to address persistent drug challenges through innovation and collaboration.
Marwa said the summit provides an opportunity to build consensus on a coordinated national action plan covering prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, data collection, policy implementation and community resilience.
He urged participants to engage actively, share experiences and develop practical recommendations that would strengthen institutional collaboration and reinforce national efforts to protect Nigerians, especially young people, from the dangers of drug abuse.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, represented by Pharmacist Henrietta Bakura-Onyeneke, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring that no Nigerian suffers unnecessary pain due to lack of access to essential medicines and that no citizen loses their future to drug abuse.
