By Faith Adama
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has marked a key milestone in its ongoing transformation with the unveiling of the first phase of its new headquarters in the Jahi area of Abuja.
The move signals a significant step forward in the agency’s mission to modernize and streamline operations, ensuring a more efficient response to Nigeria’s drug control challenges.
The unveiling ceremony, held on Wednesday, November 26, 2024, featured an interdenominational service and was attended by key stakeholders, including NDLEA Chairman Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd).
Marwa, who has led the agency since January 2021, emphasized the importance of the relocation, highlighting that the old headquarters could no longer accommodate the growing workforce or support the agency’s expansion.
“We were determined to move before the end of 2024,” Marwa said, noting that the previous facility had become inadequate, prompting the need for an urgent relocation.
While the headquarters is not yet fully completed, it is already functional and poised to accommodate several directorates previously spread across Abuja, consolidating operations in one central location.
The old Gimbiya Street headquarters in Garki will remain operational as an annex.
Marwa expressed his gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly, and other stakeholders for their unwavering support, stating that the new facility would help foster greater results in the fight against drug trafficking and substance abuse.
“This improved work environment will undoubtedly motivate our officers to achieve even greater results,” he added.
The NDLEA’s relocation is a crucial part of its broader efforts to become a modern, results-driven anti-narcotics agency, and it is expected to play a pivotal role in strengthening Nigeria’s fight against illegal drugs in the coming years.
