The UNODC described Nigeria as being at a defining moment, emphasizing its role as Africa’s largest economy and most populous nation with a predominantly young population. Its position makes it critical in shaping the future of West Africa, the continent, and the global community, but persistent challenges such as illicit drug trafficking, transnational organized crime, human trafficking, maritime insecurity, violent extremism, corruption, and institutional pressures continue to affect citizens and have far-reaching implications beyond Nigeria’s borders.
The Country Programme represents UNODC’s most comprehensive and integrated framework for Nigeria, developed through extensive consultations and grounded in respect for national sovereignty and institutions. It adopts a holistic approach built on five key pillars, including strengthening the criminal justice system to ensure fairness, effectiveness, and accessibility, particularly for women, children, and vulnerable groups. The programme also targets corruption and illicit financial flows, supports counter-terrorism efforts aligned with the rule of law and human rights, addresses organized crime in all forms, and promotes health through prevention and treatment of drug use disorders.
The framework mainstreams youth development, gender equality, inclusion of persons with disabilities, and multi-level partnerships, replacing fragmented interventions with a coordinated and results-driven approach. While implementation faces challenges from security issues, limited resources, and evolving criminal trends such as cyber-enabled crimes, synthetic drugs, and environmental offenses, UNODC expressed confidence in its capacity to deliver, citing a strong track record and established partnerships.
A Resource Mobilisation Strategy (2026–2030) was developed alongside the programme to attract funding from traditional donors, new partners, innovative financing mechanisms, and the private sector. Nigeria is positioned as a strategic co-investor, contributing through policy leadership, institutional reforms, data systems, and progressively increased domestic funding rather than as the primary financial donor. High-level political commitment and domestic resource allocation are emphasized as key to strengthening institutions, enhancing public trust, and unlocking additional international financing.
The programme has received strong support from Nigerian federal agencies, including NDLEA, NAPTIP, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Navy, EFCC, ICPC, and the Nigerian Correctional Service. Development partners such as the European Union, Canada, the United States, Denmark, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the Global Fund, and the Peacebuilding Fund are also contributing. UNODC acknowledged the critical role of civil society, academia, the private sector, and local communities in ensuring the programme’s relevance and sustainability.
The UNODC official stressed that Nigeria’s complex challenges require collective action, with no single institution or country able to address them alone. The programme is a practical, evidence-based, nationally owned framework with a clear plan for resource mobilization. UNODC reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Nigerian government, development partners, and citizens to strengthen institutions, promote justice, and advance sustainable peace and development.
