Nigeria Country Profile

Government's Response

In response to the escalating drug situation, successive governments in Nigeria have developed multi-dimensional frameworks for dealing with the problem. These are legal, institutional, strategic and operational plans instituted at the national level. Some achievements in these areas so far, are largely due to the assistance of UNDCP and other bilateral and multi-lateral agencies inside or outside the country.

Legal Framework

The Nigerian drug policies are aligned to the International Conventions of the United Nations, such as the 1961 Convention on Narcotic Drugs as amended by the 1972 protocol, the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances and the 1988 Convention Against Illicit Traffic of Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances. These conventions have been given local adaptation and are aimed at a balanced approach in formulating drug control legislation in the country.

The existing drug control laws in Nigeria are primarily four decrees: Decree 48 of the 1989 which established the NDLEA, which is responsible for the prevention of Illicit cultivation, production, manufacture and trafficking in and abuse of drugs; Decree 33 of 1990 which targeted Nigerians convicted overseas for drug offences and provides for prison sentence and forfeiture of assets and properties on 'bringing the name of Nigeria into disrepute'; Decree 15 of 1993 which set-up the NAFDAC, a parastatal under the Federal Ministry of Health to authorize (control) the importation and exportation of narcotic drugs, psychotropic and other controlled substances, to ensure that their use are limited to medical and scientific purposes. NAFDAC is also mandated to collaborate with NDLEA in measures to control drug abuse in the country; and Decree 3 of 1995, which addresses the problem of drug money laundering.

Following the installation of democratic government in Nigeria, these decrees and other policy documents have come under the purview of the national legislature and are being reviewed in line with the democratic principles, and invariable will become government acts and policies. Presently, in both the Senate and Federal House of Representatives, there are committees on Narcotic Drug and Financial Crimes who will give in-depth attention to drug issues and affect the required reforms.

Institutional Framework and Coordination Structure

In line with the established laws, the Nigerian government had put in place the NDLEA and NAFDAC and other institutions for control of the supply of licit and illicit drugs, and demand reduction of illicit drugs and coordination of efforts in these directions. In addition, there is a Senior Special Assistant to the President on Drugs and Financial crimes and an Inter-Ministerial Task Force on Drugs and Financial Crimes.

Aside from these internal structures, the country has participated in international cooperation aimed at illicit drug control. In the West African sub-region, Nigeria contributed immensely towards the development of the ECOWAS Drug Control Fund and the Regional Plan for Drug Control in West Africa. Working within the framework of OAU, Nigeria participated in the formulation and adoption of the African Common Position on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The country has signed bilateral Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) on drug control with Ethiopia, Pakistan, Russia, Iran, Uganda and India, and is presently cooperating with the "Mini-Dublin" group.

National Drug Plan

In 1994, the government set-up an Inter-Ministerial Committee, and by 1995, this committee had developed and released the National Drug Control Strategy. Subsequently, the committee developed the National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP), which was aptly titled 'evolving to a drug free society' and officially released in the month of May 1999. The master plan document seeks to consolidate and strengthen drug control planning activities establishes clear goals and indicates strategies and activities, the time frame, resources required, sources of support and allocate responsibilities. The plan recognizes the importance of improving the system of drug surveillance, data and information gathering, analysis, management and dissemination. In addition, the plan reinforces the inter-sectoral collaboration and the enormous coordination of the drug-related bodies in the country and to give emphasis to the modernization of management capacities.

The Inter-Ministerial Committee retains the responsibility for monitoring the implementation of the master plan and with the due consultation of implementing agencies and bodies, may initiate changes or amendments or revision in the future.

National Capacities at operational level

During the last 6 years, the government of Nigeria has made concerted efforts in drug control through the NDLEA. Between 1994 and 1999, NDLEA has shown phenomenal growth in the following areas: zonal commands from 6 to 22; establishment of over 100 area commands across the country; acquisition of more than 50 patrol boats; strengthening its drug interdiction and law enforcement; training of NDLEA personnel, the launching of 'operation burn the weeds'; the establishment of Drug Abuse Control Committees at the state levels; enlisting and enhancing the participation of the traditional rulers and the communities; facilitating the formation of Anti-Drug Clubs in the schools educational institutions; support to Treatment and Rehabilitation (T&R) Centres; drug abuse prevention education in the various catchment communities; counseling and referral services; public enlightenment through mainly television and radio discussion programs and jingles; drug abuse data management; and efforts at upgrading the NDLEA Training academy for human resource development of drug control personnel. When fully operational, this facility is intended to be open to other countries in West Africa.

In comparison, the national budget on drug control (in local currency), has increased steadily from 1994 to 2000.