By Ben Adoga, Abuja
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has warned that rising drug abuse is significantly contributing to the spread of HIV in Nigeria, urging stakeholders to adopt coordinated strategies that address both substance abuse and HIV transmission simultaneously.
Chairman of NDLEA, Brig-Gen Buba Marwa (retd), made this known on Wednesday in Abuja during the inauguration of the National HIV Prevention Plan, stressing that efforts to curb HIV infections must incorporate strong measures against drug abuse.
Marwa noted that injectable drug use, particularly the sharing of contaminated needles, remained a major pathway for HIV transmission. He added that substance abuse often impaired judgment, increasing the likelihood of unsafe sexual behaviour and further accelerating the spread of the virus.
He expressed concern about the situation in correctional facilities, describing prisons as environments with heightened vulnerability due to addiction challenges and inadequate access to preventive health services.
“For too long, drug control policies and public health responses have operated in isolation. Today, we recognise that both challenges are interconnected and must be tackled through a unified approach,” Marwa said.
According to him, while NDLEA continues to intensify efforts to reduce the supply of illicit drugs, the agency is also prioritising demand-reduction and harm-prevention initiatives as part of a broader public health strategy.
He disclosed that the agency would work closely with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), the Federal Ministry of Health, and civil society organisations to expand HIV prevention education and awareness across communities.
Marwa further emphasised that NDLEA would utilise its nationwide structures to sensitise young people, stressing that the fight against drug abuse remains closely linked to the broader effort to reduce HIV infections.
“We are committed to supporting the implementation of the National HIV Prevention Plan with a strong focus on safeguarding the health and well-being of Nigerians,” he stated.
Director-General, Programme, Ministry of Defence Health Implementation Programme (MODHIP), Brig.-Gen. Idris Solebo commended NACA for its sustained leadership in strengthening Nigeria’s HIV response through strategic policies and partnerships.
Solebo observed that NACA has played a critical role in advancing evidence-based interventions designed to reduce new infections and expand access to treatment, care, and support for people living with HIV.
He highlighted the strong collaboration between NACA and defence-related health institutions, particularly in ensuring that members of the armed forces, their families, and host communities benefit from comprehensive HIV prevention and treatment services.
According to him, the partnership has helped protect the health and operational readiness of military personnel while also contributing to national efforts to control the epidemic.
“As we pursue national and global HIV targets, we remain committed to deepening collaboration with NACA and other stakeholders to build a more resilient and sustainable HIV response system,” Solebo said.
Also speaking, Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, underscored the importance of sustained public awareness and community engagement in preventing new infections.
Represented by Dr Olufemi Ayoola, NOA’s Director of Health and Social Care, Issa-Onilu noted that empowering citizens through education remained essential to achieving the goals of Nigeria’s National HIV Prevention Plan 2026–2030.
“Prevention and public enlightenment are central to sustaining national progress and reaching the last mile in the fight against HIV transmission,” he said.
