The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has identified drug abuse as a major driver of HIV transmission in Nigeria, and called for integrated strategies to address both challenges.
The Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retired, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, disclosed this at the inauguration of the National HIV Prevention Plan, on Wednesday in Abuja.
Marwa said the fight against HIV could not be separated from efforts to curb drug abuse, particularly the use of injectable drugs, which he said increases the risk of infection through the sharing of contaminated needles.
According to him, substance abuse also contributes to poor judgment and risky sexual behaviour, further accelerating the spread of HIV.
He raised concerns about correctional facilities, noting that prisons often served as high-risk environments where addiction and limited access to prevention services created cycle of vulnerability and infection.
”For too long, drug control and public health responses have been treated separately. Today, we recognise that they are interconnected and must be addressed together,” he said.
Marwa explained that while the agency remained committed to reducing drug supply, it was also prioritising drug demand and harm reduction strategies as part of a broader public health approach.
He added that NDLEA would collaborate with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), the Federal Ministry of Health, and civil society organisations to expand HIV prevention education across communities.
The NDLEA boss further said that the agency would leverage its nationwide platforms to promote awareness among young people, emphasising that the fight against drug abuse was inseparable from the fight against HIV.
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting the implementation of the National HIV Prevention Plan, with a focus on protecting the health and well-being of Nigerians.
Brig.-Gen. Idris Solebo, Director-General programme, Ministry of Defence Health Implementation Programme (MODHIP), commended NACA for its leadership and sustained efforts in strengthening Nigeria’s response to HIV and AIDS.
Solebo noted that NACA had played a pivotal role in advancing policies, partnerships, and evidence-based interventions aimed at reducing new HIV infections.
He said that over the years, the agency had demonstrated exceptional leadership in expanding access to treatment, care, and support services for persons living with HIV, thereby contributing significantly to Nigeria’s progress in controlling the epidemic.
He also highlighted the strong collaboration between NACA and defence-related health institutions, particularly in ensuring that members of the armed forces, their families, and surrounding communities have access to comprehensive HIV prevention and treatment services.
According to him, the partnership has been instrumental in safeguarding the health, operational readiness, and overall well-being of military personnel.
”As we work towards achieving national and global HIV targets, we remain committed to strengthening collaboration with NACA and other stakeholders to build a more resilient, coordinated, and sustainable national HIV response.’’
He reaffirmed the programme’s dedication to improving health outcomes among military personnel and the wider population, while expressing optimism about continued progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.
Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), emphasised the crucial role of awareness and community engagement in Nigeria’s HIV response, highlighting that prevention and education were central to sustaining national gains and reaching the last mile of HIV transmission.
Issa-Onilu represented by Dr Olufemi Ayoola, NOA’s Director of Health and Social Care, noted that empowering communities through awareness and education was key to preventing new HIV infections and ensuring the success of Nigeria’s National HIV Prevention Plan 2026–2030.
