Lagos: The ECOWAS Commission and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have initiated a three-day training program for Nigeria Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (NENDU) Desk Officers. Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Retired Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa, emphasized that the program, held in Lagos, is designed to equip officers with advanced skills in collecting and analyzing drug-related data.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Marwa, who was represented by Dr. Ngozi Madubuike, Director of Drug Demand Reduction Research and Statistics at NDLEA, highlighted the significance of timely and accurate data in combating Nigeria’s drug abuse issues. He described such data as “the compass that guides all serious anti-drug operations,” stressing that without reliable data, interventions risk being misdirected or ineffective, making the role of Desk Officers crucial.
The training, sponsored by the ECOWAS Commission and taking place from August 12 to August 14, aims to enhance the capacity of over 35 NDLEA Drug Treatment Centre Desk Officers from different states. Participants will be trained in modern techniques of data collection, validation, and analysis to ensure the production of high-quality drug data for policy and intervention purposes.
Dr. Sintiki Ugbe, Director of Humanitarian and Social Affairs at the ECOWAS Commission, represented by Dr. Daniel Amankwaah, Head of the ECOWAS Drug Prevention and Control Division, explained that substance abuse in West Africa is a complex issue requiring real-time tracking. She noted that ECOWAS established the West African Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (WENDU) in 2013 to monitor and address drug use trends across member states, with each country maintaining a national network like NENDU in Nigeria.
Ugbe further emphasized that ECOWAS is committed to supporting the training not only by investing in skills but also by providing necessary tools such as computers and scanners to NDLEA treatment centers. She stated that this investment is a long-term commitment to national and regional security, with plans to extend similar support to other treatment centers by 2026.
The data collected through NENDU contributes to the WENDU annual report, which plays a crucial role in evidence-based policymaking and resource allocation across ECOWAS member states.