By Oluwakemi Kindness
Nigeria and Ghana have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration against drug trafficking, psychotropic substances, and related money laundering across West Africa.
The agreement was formalised in Abuja on Tuesday when the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Mohamed Buba Marwa, hosted a delegation from Ghana’s Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) led by its Director General, Maxwell Obuba Mantey, on a study tour of the agency’s operational modelNigeria and Ghana have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration against drug trafficking, psychotropic substances, and related money laundering across West Africa.
The agreement was formalised in Abuja on Tuesday when the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Mohamed Buba Marwa, hosted a delegation from Ghana’s Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) led by its Director General, Maxwell Obuba Mantey, on a study tour of the agency’s operational model.
Describing the partnership as a major step in regional security, Marwa said the alliance should serve as a strong warning to criminal networks operating within the sub-region.
“Let this visit serve as a warning to those who seek to destabilize our societies with illicit drugs: Nigeria and Ghana stand united. We will continue to innovate, collaborate, and dominate the tactical space until our streets and communities are safe,” he said.
He noted that the agreement marks a transition from informal cooperation to a more structured and aggressive joint response.
“This agreement… provides us with a legal and operational roadmap. It moves our relationship from informal consultation to a structured, aggressive, and unified front against drug barons,” Marwa added.
According to him, the growing threat of transnational organised crime requires deeper collaboration between countries, stressing that intelligence sharing and joint operations would help “narrow the space for criminal cartels to operate within our sub-region.”
The NDLEA boss explained that the visit by the Ghanaian delegation goes beyond a routine engagement, describing it as “a strategic alignment” aimed at enhancing operational synergy, sharing expertise in digital forensics, and strengthening interdiction strategies.
In his remarks, Mantey acknowledged Nigeria’s leadership role in regional drug control efforts, noting that Ghana holds the country “in the highest regard.”
“In many respects, we look to Nigeria as an elder brother… the relationship between our two countries is deeply valued and grounded in shared history, mutual respect, and a common commitment to peace, stability, and sustainable development,” he said.
He warned that the drug trafficking landscape in West Africa is becoming increasingly complex, citing the rise of synthetic drugs, expanding maritime trafficking routes, and stronger links between drug trade and other forms of organised crime.
“At the same time, the linkages between drug trafficking and other forms of organised crime are becoming more pronounced, with implications for security, governance, and public health,” Mantey stated.
The NACOC boss added that Ghana is witnessing a shift from being primarily a transit point to facing growing domestic drug use and distribution challenges, underscoring the urgency for stronger regional partnerships.
“No single country can effectively address this threat in isolation,” he said, adding that the MoU must deliver “real, measurable outcomes” including enhanced intelligence sharing, coordinated operations, and structured training programmes.
The engagement also featured discussions on emerging trafficking trends within the West African corridor, as well as plans for joint training exercises and closer day-to-day collaboration between both agencies.
Officials said the partnership is expected to significantly boost regional efforts to combat illicit drug networks and improve security across West Africa.
