Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation against drug trafficking. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Drug Enforcement Authority (NDEA) of the UAE signed the agreement on Saturday in Abu Dhabi. The MoU aims to provide a stronger framework for intelligence-sharing, operational cooperation, and coordinated action against drug trafficking along the Nigeria-UAE route. The agreement was reached on the sidelines of the ongoing 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.
The NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, said the agreement was the product of sustained engagement between the two agencies over several years. Marwa revealed that the NDLEA had intercepted approximately 354.7kg of illicit drugs destined for the UAE between 2021 and 2026. The seized substances included cocaine, cannabis, tramadol, rohypnol, ecstasy, and khat, concealed in various consignments. This led to the arrest and prosecution of 47 suspects, highlighting the scale of the trafficking challenge along the route.
Marwa presented the agency's wider enforcement record, saying that more than 91,000 suspects had been arrested across the country between January 2021 and July 2026. Among those arrested were 243 drug barons. NDLEA operatives had seized more than 15.5 million kilograms of illicit drugs and precursor chemicals within the period, while 16,469 convictions had been secured. The agency had also provided counselling, treatment, and rehabilitation to more than 53,000 drug users.
The NDLEA chairman said the latest agreement with the UAE would expand existing areas of cooperation, including the exchange of liaison personnel, operational information, and technical expertise. One practical measure being considered is for the UAE to provide Nigerian travellers with a comprehensive list of prohibited items to help prevent inadvertent violations of the country's laws. This move aims to prevent drug trafficking and promote awareness among travellers.
The Chairman of the National Drug Enforcement Authority, His Excellency Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad Al Nahyan, reaffirmed the UAE's willingness to work closely with Nigeria to combat illicit drug trafficking. He said the cooperation would focus on disrupting criminal networks taking advantage of the extensive trade, travel, and people-to-people links between Nigeria and the UAE. Al Nahyan described the MoU as a natural progression of the existing relationship between the two agencies.
The partnership is expected to contribute to broader international efforts against organised crime and illicit drug trafficking. The two agencies expressed optimism that the new agreement would lead to improved intelligence-sharing, more effective joint operations, and greater success in dismantling drug trafficking networks operating along the Nigeria-UAE corridor. This cooperation aligns with the shared responsibility promoted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
The agreement is expected to yield positive results in the fight against drug trafficking. With the MoU in place, Nigeria and the UAE can now work together more effectively to combat the trafficking of illicit drugs. The cooperation will also enhance the existing relationship between the two agencies, leading to a more significant impact in the region. The NDLEA and NDEA will continue to work together to achieve their goals.
Key points
- Nigeria and UAE sign MoU to enhance cooperation against drug trafficking
- The agreement aims to provide a stronger framework for intelligence-sharing and operational cooperation
- The partnership is expected to contribute to broader international efforts against organised crime and illicit drug trafficking
