Kaduna Shines as Africa’s Model in Drug Control, Mental Health as UNODC Chief Visits Governor Uba Sani

By Tgnews Reporter

Governor Senator Uba Sani, CON, on Thursday hosted Mr. Cheikh Touré, Country Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Nigeria, in a high-level courtesy visit focused on strengthening collaborative efforts against substance abuse, mental health challenges, and insecurity.

The productive engagement underscored Kaduna State’s growing reputation as a pacesetter in evidence-based responses to these intersecting threats, particularly in Nigeria’s North-West region.

Governor Sani reaffirmed the state government’s unwavering commitment to a public health-centred approach that emphasises prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and the social reintegration of affected individuals.

In his remarks, the Governor expressed profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for creating a supportive national environment that enables bold subnational reforms in healthcare, peacebuilding, and community security.

He also thanked the UNODC for its sustained technical partnership and global expertise.

Mr. Cheikh Touré commended Kaduna State for emerging as Nigeria’s benchmark in drug prevention and treatment. He highlighted the state’s progressive mental health legislation and its trailblazing initiatives, including being the first and only jurisdiction in Sub-Saharan Africa to implement the Alternatives to Incarceration (ATI) programme.

Kaduna is also the first state in Nigeria to adopt the Child Amplified Protection System and has retained the top position in the 2025 Transparency and Integrity Index for the second consecutive year.

Governor Sani expressed Kaduna’s readiness to deepen its strategic partnership with the UNODC, including consideration of hosting a proposed International Summit on Drug Abuse in Kaduna.

“This partnership reflects our collective resolve to build a safer, healthier, and more inclusive society anchored on sustainable development,” the Governor stated.

The visit is seen as a significant boost to Kaduna State’s ongoing reforms and its ambition to serve as a regional model for holistic, humane, and effective approaches to drug control, mental health care, and community resilience.