Nigeria’s leading women’s coalition, the NCWS, has thrown its weight behind the country’s anti-drug campaign, commending President Bola Tinubu for reappointing Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) and seeking deeper collaboration with the NDLEA.
In a statement issued by Femi Babafemi, Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, the women’s group delivered the commendation during a courtesy visit to the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, 3 December 2025.
Speaking during the visit, NCWS National President, Princess Edna Azura, said Marwa’s renewed mandate represents a strong vote of confidence in his leadership and the agency’s performance in the ongoing war against drug abuse and trafficking.
“We want to appreciate President Bola Tinubu for this wonderful opportunity that he has given you extra five years. We are very grateful. This renewal is a clear national endorsement of your monumental contributions to national security, public health, women and youth protection,” she said, as quoted by Babafemi.
Azura described Marwa’s leadership as “transformative,” citing the NDLEA’s dismantling of sophisticated drug networks, interception of record quantities of illicit substances, expansion of preventive education, and improved rehabilitation pathways for victims of substance abuse.
She said the NCWS is eager to deepen its partnership with the agency through joint sensitisation programmes in schools, markets and communities, as well as training women leaders in drug use prevention, treatment and care.
“Our ongoing school outreach programmes, advocacy forums and community sensitisation campaigns across the states have proven that when women are fully engaged, prevention becomes more effective,” she added.
The Council also proposed collaboration in training NCWS officers as community anti-drug ambassadors, advancing advocacy for mothers and caregivers, and strengthening support for the rehabilitation and reintegration of women and youth affected by drug use.
Responding, Marwa thanked the NCWS leadership for its support and described women as indispensable stakeholders in the national drug control framework. He said drug abuse remains the country’s “number one problem,” noting that with an estimated 15 million drug users nationwide, the fight requires a collective effort.
“Government cannot handle it alone. We have to have the whole of society to work with us. So NCWS, we don’t have any bigger partners than you because you are the mothers handling families all over the country,” he stated.
Marwa assured the delegation that NDLEA would organise tailored Drug Use Prevention, Treatment and Care (DPTC) training for NCWS leaders in 2026 to equip them for grassroots engagements. He further urged them to support the agency’s push for drug integrity testing for intending couples as a proactive measure to curb substance abuse and facilitate early detection.
