The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has named Kaduna State as Nigeria’s benchmark for drug prevention and treatment, citing its sweeping reforms and coordinated response to substance abuse and mental health challenges.
The recognition was conveyed in a letter signed by the UNODC Country Representative, Mr. Cheikh Toure, and addressed to Governor Uba Sani. Toure commended the state for what he described as “remarkable strides” in building stronger institutional and community-based interventions.
According to UNODC, the transformation of the former Kaduna Bureau of Substance Abuse, Prevention and Treatment into the Kaduna State Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency (KadSAMHSA) marks a major advancement in integrated service delivery. The agency noted that Kaduna’s unified structure—bringing mental health and substance-use interventions under a single coordinating body—aligns with global best practices and stands out as one of the most effective sub-national models in Nigeria.
The UN body also praised the state government for adopting a balanced, holistic approach that blends prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and public education. It highlighted the state’s multisectoral coordination, extensive community outreach, and strong emphasis on psychosocial support as evidence of forward-looking governance.
UNODC further disclosed that several states, including Yobe, Borno, Bayelsa, and Kwara, have sought guidance to replicate the widely referenced “Kaduna Model,” which is now regarded nationally as a standard for sustainable and effective drug control interventions.
The agency noted that the rising interest in Kaduna’s approach reinforces the state’s growing reputation as a leader in public health reform and social reintegration initiatives. Reaffirming its commitment, UNODC assured that it would continue to support the state government and KadSAMHSA through technical assistance, capacity building, and linkages to national and regional drug control strategies.
