How drug abuse drives HIV transmission, by NDLEA
By Adekunle Yusuf, Associate Editor In Nigeria, the fight against HIV cannot be waged in isolation from the battle against drug abuse, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has
By Adekunle Yusuf, Associate Editor
In Nigeria, the fight against HIV cannot be waged in isolation from the battle against drug abuse, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has emphasised. At the inauguration of the National HIV Prevention Plan on Wednesday, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, Chairman of NDLEA, identified drug abuse as a critical driver of HIV transmission, calling for a coordinated strategy that addresses both challenges simultaneously.
“Substance abuse, particularly injectable drugs, significantly increases the risk of HIV infection,” Marwa said” “Sharing contaminated needles is a direct route of transmission, and beyond that, drug abuse contributes to poor judgment and risky sexual behaviour that accelerates the spread of HIV.” Marwa’s remarks highlighted the deep interconnection between drug control and public health, a relationship often overlooked in policy discussions. He noted that prisons and correctional facilities represent high-risk environments, where addiction and limited access to prevention services create a cycle of vulnerability and infection. “For too long, drug control and public health responses have been treated separately. Today, we recognise that they are interconnected and must be addressed together,” he said.
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The NDLEA chairman explained that the agency is not only focused on reducing the supply of illicit drugs but is also prioritising demand reduction and harm minimisation. “Our approach is broader than enforcement. We are integrating public health strategies into our work, recognising that education, awareness and treatment are critical to reducing both drug abuse and HIV transmission.”
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As part of this integrated approach, NDLEA will work closely with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), the Federal Ministry of Health, and civil society organisations to expand HIV prevention education across communities. Marwa stressed the importance of reaching young people, noting that awareness campaigns targeting youth are essential in curbing both substance abuse and new HIV infections. “The fight against drug abuse is inseparable from the fight against HIV,” he said, adding that the agency would leverage its nationwide platforms to promote awareness, focusing on behavioural change, harm reduction, and responsible decision-making.
Brig.-Gen. Idris Solebo, Director-General of the Ministry of Defence Health Implementation Programme (MODHIP), commended NACA for its leadership in advancing Nigeria’s response to HIV/AIDS. “Over the years, NACA has demonstrated exceptional leadership in expanding access to treatment, care, and support services for persons living with HIV,” Solebo said. “Their work has significantly contributed to Nigeria’s progress in controlling the epidemic.”
Solebo further highlighted the importance of collaboration between defence-related health institutions and NACA. “Partnerships have been instrumental in ensuring that members of the armed forces, their families, and surrounding communities have access to comprehensive HIV prevention and treatment services,” he said. “This collaboration safeguards health, operational readiness, and overall well-being.”
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The MODHIP director-general reaffirmed the programme’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with NACA and other stakeholders to build a resilient, coordinated, and sustainable national HIV response. “As we work toward national and global HIV targets, we remain committed to improving health outcomes among military personnel and the wider population,” Solebo said.
Complementing the enforcement and treatment efforts, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), emphasised the importance of awareness and community engagement in Nigeria’s HIV response. Represented by Dr. Olufemi Ayoola, NOA’s Director of Health and Social Care, Issa-Onilu said prevention and education are central to sustaining national gains and reaching the last mile in reducing HIV transmission. “Empowering communities through awareness and education is key to preventing new HIV infections,” he said. “The success of Nigeria’s National HIV Prevention Plan 2026–2030 depends on informed communities that understand the risks associated with drug abuse and the pathways to HIV transmission.”
Experts note that the combination of injectable drug use, unprotected sex, and social stigma creates a “perfect storm” for the spread of HIV, particularly among young people and vulnerable populations. Dr. Ayoola highlighted that education campaigns must not only inform the public but also provide access to harm reduction services, including counselling, testing, and clean needle programmes where necessary. “Awareness alone is not enough,” he said. “Communities need tangible support structures. Behavioural change must be reinforced by practical services that reduce risk and encourage early intervention.”
Marwa also called for innovative strategies to address HIV within correctional facilities, where drug use is often hidden and treatment options are limited. “Prisons are microcosms of the larger public health challenge,” he said. “We must ensure that inmates have access to HIV testing, counselling, and treatment, alongside drug rehabilitation programmes. Only then can we break the cycle of infection and addiction.”
The NDLEA chairman further stressed the need for policy coherence and inter-agency collaboration. “Fighting HIV and drug abuse cannot be the responsibility of one organisation alone,” Marwa said. “It requires a multi-sectoral approach, involving law enforcement, health authorities, community organisations, and the private sector. Each stakeholder has a role to play.” He concluded by underlining that Nigeria’s public health and social systems must evolve to address interconnected challenges. “Drug abuse and HIV are two sides of the same coin,” Marwa said. “We must tackle them together to safeguard the health and wellbeing of our nation.”
With drug abuse and HIV intertwined in complex ways, NDLEA’s approach represents a significant shift in strategy—from enforcement-centric interventions to integrated public health solutions. By combining education, harm reduction, and enforcement, the agency hopes to reduce new infections, protect vulnerable populations, and build a foundation for healthier communities across Nigeria. The launch of the National HIV Prevention Plan, supported by NDLEA, NACA, MODHIP, and NOA, signals a renewed commitment to tackling these twin challenges holistically. For Nigeria, the message is clear: addressing drug abuse is not just a law enforcement imperative—it is a public health necessity that holds the key to curbing HIV transmission nationwide.
