ABUJA – The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has warned Nigerian entrepreneurs, women and youths seeking access to international markets against allowing their businesses to be used for illicit drug trafficking, cautioning that a single contaminated shipment could lead to imprisonment and damage Nigeria’s international reputation.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), gave the warning on Wednesday at a masterclass organised by the Aspire Women Forum at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Marwa urged aspiring exporters to verify their business partners, understand the contents of their consignments and ensure that their goods were not used to transport illicit substances across international borders.
The masterclass, themed “From Survival to Thriving: Empowering Women and Youth for Export Readiness, Global Market Access and Prosperity under the Renewed Hope Agenda,” brought together women and young entrepreneurs to explore opportunities for business growth, export readiness and access to international markets.
According to a statement by the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, Marwa warned that the consequences of drug trafficking extended beyond individual offenders to their families and the country’s reputation.
“Know exactly what you are shipping. Verify your partners and your transactions. Never carry a package you did not pack, and never let your goods be used for trafficking,” he cautioned.
He added that a single contaminated consignment could cost an exporter their freedom, tarnish their family’s reputation and jeopardise access to international markets painstakingly developed by Nigerian businesses.
Marwa stressed that successful exporting required integrity, quality products, compliance with standards, accurate documentation and reliable service.
He urged participants to protect their businesses from the dangers of illicit drugs, warning that substance abuse could undermine their ambitions and ability to build sustainable enterprises.
“Do not let pressure, disappointment, curiosity or the desire to belong draw you into drugs. Drugs solve no business problem and end no hardship; they only multiply them,” he said.
The NDLEA boss also encouraged individuals struggling with drug dependence to seek professional assistance, describing the decision to seek help as an act of courage rather than shame.
He disclosed that the agency operated a 24-hour toll-free helpline, 0800 1020 3040, through which trained professionals, including clinical psychologists, psychotherapists and psychiatrists, provided assistance in English, Pidgin, Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba.
Marwa urged parents, mentors and community leaders to encourage people battling drug dependence to seek treatment rather than isolate them.
He also pledged the agency’s readiness to collaborate with the Aspire Women Forum through its War Against Drug Abuse social advocacy initiative.
He encouraged participants to take practical steps towards business growth, including formalising their enterprises, improving financial records, strengthening digital skills and preparing their products for international markets.
“Invest in your abilities. Choose your associations carefully. Pursue your goals with discipline and integrity. Thrive, and stay drug-free,” he added.
Earlier, Vice President Kashim Shettima said Nigeria’s ambition to build a $1tn economy could only be achieved through productive enterprise, investment, innovation and the capacity of citizens to create value.
Shettima, who was represented by the Special Assistant to the President on Humanitarian Affairs and Development Partners, Inna Binta Audu, said the economic participation of women and young people was critical to achieving sustainable national prosperity.
He described the transition from survival to thriving as both an economic necessity and a national development priority under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to the Vice President, government alone cannot deliver the country’s economic ambition without an ecosystem that enables businesses to emerge, grow, compete and contribute meaningfully to national development.
“Our ambition to build a one-trillion-dollar economy cannot be realised by government alone. It requires an ecosystem in which businesses can emerge, grow, compete and contribute to national development,” he said.
Shettima noted that empowering women and youths would expand Nigeria’s productive capacity, increase household incomes, create jobs and improve opportunities for future generations.