The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the United Arab Emirates’ National Drug Enforcement Authority (NDEA) have signed a new agreement to strengthen the fight against drug trafficking along the Nigeria-UAE corridor.
The two agencies signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Saturday, September 26, 2026, in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
The signing took place on the sidelines of the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.
The new agreement will strengthen intelligence-sharing, operational information exchange and joint enforcement action between Nigeria and the UAE.
NDLEA Intercepts 354.7kg of Drugs Bound for UAE
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.), disclosed that the agency intercepted about 354.7 kilogrammes of illicit drugs in consignments heading to the UAE between 2021 and 2026.
The intercepted substances included cocaine, cannabis, tramadol, Rohypnol, ecstasy and khat.
According to Marwa, the operations led to the arrest and prosecution of 47 suspects.
He said the figures show why Nigeria and the UAE need closer cooperation to tackle trafficking networks operating along the route.
New Pact Targets Drug Trafficking Networks
Marwa described the agreement as the result of several years of engagement between NDLEA and the UAE’s NDEA.
He said the new framework would give both agencies a stronger platform to exchange intelligence and operational information.
The agencies will also expand technical cooperation and joint enforcement efforts.
The agreement will build on existing cooperation, including the exchange of liaison personnel between the two countries.
The agencies want to use faster intelligence-sharing and coordinated operations to identify and disrupt trafficking networks that exploit Nigeria-UAE travel and trade links.
UAE to Give Nigerian Travellers List of Prohibited Items
The new partnership also includes a practical measure aimed at Nigerian travellers.
According to Marwa, the UAE authorities plan to provide Nigerian travellers with a comprehensive list of prohibited items.
The initiative will help travellers understand UAE restrictions and avoid accidentally carrying substances or items prohibited under the country’s laws.
This measure could prove particularly useful for passengers travelling with luggage, parcels or other consignments whose contents they may not fully understand.
UAE Pledges Stronger Cooperation
Chairman of the UAE’s National Drug Enforcement Authority, Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad Al Nahyan, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to working closely with Nigeria.
Al Nahyan said traffickers often exploit the strong trade, travel and people-to-people connections between the two countries.
He described the new MoU as a natural progression of the existing relationship between the two agencies.
Both sides expect the agreement to improve intelligence-sharing, strengthen joint operations and help dismantle transnational drug trafficking networks operating along the Nigeria-UAE route.
NDLEA Reports Over 91,000 Arrests Nationwide
Marwa also highlighted NDLEA’s wider enforcement record.
He said the agency arrested more than 91,000 suspects across Nigeria between January 2021 and July 2026.
The figure included 243 suspected drug barons, according to the NDLEA chairman.
During the same period, the agency seized more than 15.5 million kilogrammes of illicit drugs and precursor chemicals and secured 16,469 convictions.
NDLEA also provided counselling, treatment and rehabilitation to more than 53,000 drug users during the period.
The agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign has also reached nearly 5.9 million Nigerians through community and school engagements.
Why the Nigeria-UAE Drug Pact Matters
Nigeria and the UAE maintain strong travel, business and commercial connections. Those links also create opportunities for international criminal networks to move illicit substances across borders.
The new agreement gives both countries a formal framework for closer cooperation.
Instead of relying solely on separate investigations, the agencies can share intelligence, coordinate enforcement activities and work together to trace trafficking networks operating across jurisdictions.
The partnership also fits into broader international efforts against organised crime and illicit drug trafficking under the United Nations framework.
What Happens Next?
The NDLEA-NDEA agreement will now move from signing to implementation.
Both agencies are expected to strengthen intelligence exchanges, expand operational cooperation and improve coordination along the Nigeria-UAE corridor.
For Nigerian travellers, the planned list of prohibited items could also provide clearer guidance on what they can legally carry into the UAE.
WeGoTalk Takeaway: The NDLEA and UAE’s NDEA have opened a new front in the fight against international drug trafficking. With 354.7kg of illicit drugs already intercepted on UAE-bound consignments between 2021 and 2026, both countries now want closer intelligence-sharing and joint enforcement to target the networks behind the trade.
