The Government of Nigeria, in coordination with the European Union funded and UNODC implemented project “Response to Drugs and Related Organized Crime in Nigeria”, organized a side-event during the 64th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, and presented its new National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP) for the period 2021-2025.

The NDCMP 2021-2025 is the outcome of two years of coordinated, collaborative and multi-agency effort comprising experts from all the relevant Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) as well as Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). Developed with the technical support from UNODC, the NDCMP is a results-based strategic planning tool for coordinating interventions against illicit drug use and trafficking and related organized crime in Nigeria.

The Plan contains four strategic pillars: Supply Reduction; Drug Demand Reduction; Access to Controlled Medicines for Medical and Scientific Purposes; and Governance and Coordination. Each of the strategic pillars is anchored in one or two MDAs of the Government that will be responsible for achieving desired outcomes.

The main goal of the NDCMP 2021-25 is to contribute to improved health and security for all Nigerians.

It acknowledges that the problems arising with drug supply and consumption are not restricted only to people who use drugs but have wider health, social and economic consequences on the family, community, and the nation at large.

Based on this, the NDCMP adopts a broad-based, comprehensive and inclusive approach for addressing drug related issues.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), OFR said: “The NDCMP 2021-2025 represents a continuity and advancement in the Government of Nigeria’s efforts towards addressing the evolving drug situation in the country in a comprehensive, balanced, human-rights centred and gender responsive manner”.

He further stated that the Plan “focuses on drugs not only from law and order perspectives but also as a public health and education issue”.

In his remarks, H.E. Ambassador Ketil Karlsen, Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS reiterated the EU’s long-standing commitment in tackling drug control as evidenced by its support to Nigeria through its significant 34 million Euro contribution towards a project focused on responding to drug control issues in a balanced, and evidenced-based manner.
 
He further highlighted the importance of data collection and increased engagement with national partners for developing effective, transformative and broad-based drug control policies and strategies.

The Ambassador also referred to the role that NDLEA has played in the drafting of the NDCMP and stressed the need for proper implementation in future.

In a message from the UNODC Country Representative in Nigeria, Mr. Oliver Stolpe stressed the strong evidence-base of the NDCMP.

He stated: “The Plan took inspiration and guidance from a number of research studies on drug control in Nigeria, including the Drug Use Survey 2018, as well as best practices from other parts of the world” He further stated that the Plan…. can be a model for other African states.”

The NDCMP 2021-25 is in its final draft stage and pending the approval of Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, before its operationalization across the country.