Marking a historic milestone in international cooperation, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has officially launched its first-ever Country Programme (CP) for Nigeria, spanning 2026 to 2030.
The launch follows years of intensive consultations with diverse stakeholders, rigorous research, and strategic adaptation to the evolving security landscape of West Africa. The programme serves as an integrated framework designed to address Nigeria’s pivotal role in regional stability and global security.
A Strategic Framework for Security and Reform
The 2026–2030 Country Programme acts as a comprehensive roadmap for tackling some of the most pressing challenges facing the nation. By prioritizing interventions against transnational organized crime, drug trafficking, and terrorism, the UNODC aims to strengthen Nigeria’s institutional capacity and judicial integrity.
The framework is not merely a reactive measure but a proactive strategy to address emerging threats while sustaining the results of previous reform efforts. It emphasizes a shift toward more coordinated, data-driven interventions that align with both national priorities and international standards.
Commitment to Collaborative Progress
The unveiling ceremony highlighted the importance of “going farther together,” a theme that resonated through the assembly of government officials, international donors, and civil society leaders.
“History is made today. This Country Programme is a strategic, integrated, and well-coordinated framework that addresses both current and emerging needs,” as stated on X during the launch. “We are incredibly grateful to the stakeholders, donors, and partners including youth groups and CSOs who joined us. Let’s now galvanize concrete resources to enable reforms that sustain achieved results and improve lives.”
Engaging Civil Society and Youth
A key pillar of the new CP is the inclusion of non-state actors. The UNODC underscored the vital role that youth groups and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) played in the development phase and will continue to play in the implementation of the programme.
By fostering a bottom-up approach, the UNODC seeks to ensure that reforms are inclusive and impactful at the community level. The organization is calling on the international community to provide the necessary resources to transform this strategic vision into a lived reality for millions of Nigerians.
For more information, stakeholders and the public can read more about the UNODC Country Programme at: https://bit.ly/UNODCNigeriaCP
Share this
