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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to forge an alliance against drug trafficking and piracy.
Speaking at a brief ceremony to sign the MoU at the NDLEA headquarters on Friday 17th July 2026, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) said the partnership may appear, on the surface, to bring together two unrelated mandates, but which, on closer examination, reflects a shared reality in the fight against organized crime in Nigeria.

According to him, “Our experience at the frontlines of drug law enforcement has shown us time and again that criminal networks rarely confine themselves to a single illicit enterprise. The same syndicates that traffic in narcotics are often found dabbling in other forms of economic crime, including the piracy of intellectual works that rightfully belong to Nigeria’s creatives: our musicians, filmmakers, writers, and software developers. Proceeds from one illegal trade frequently find their way into financing the other. This is the criminal value chain we must disrupt together.
“Today’s MoU gives structure to that shared fight. Through it, our two agencies commit to exchanging intelligence, coordinating joint operations, building the capacity of our respective officers, and supporting one another with the technical resources needed to do this work well. A Joint Working Committee will be established to drive this collaboration forward, meeting regularly to ensure that what we sign today translates into real results on the ground.

“Let me be clear: this partnership is not just about law enforcement. It is about protecting the health and social wellbeing of our people, and about safeguarding the immense creative talent of this nation: a talent that deserves to thrive without the theft that piracy represents, and a society that deserves protection from the scourge of illicit drugs.”

He commended the NCC for recognizing the intersection between drug trafficking and piracy. “This is how effective government works; agencies finding the common threads in their missions and pulling together rather than in isolation”, Marwa added.

In his remarks, the Director General of NCC, Dr. John Asein noted that the alliance between NDLEA and NCC marks a significant milestone in the growing culture of inter-agency collaboration within the Nigerian public service, adding that the effort will enhance the common responsibility of protecting the Nigerian society from criminal enterprises that undermine national security, economic development and the rule of law.

In his words, “Copyright piracy is sometimes wrongly perceived as a minor commercial offence or a victimless activity. In reality, large-scale piracy is often a highly organised and profitable criminal enterprise. It deprives creators and investors of legitimate income, destroys jobs, discourages investment, reduces government revenue and weakens the foundations of Nigeria’s creative economy.

“International experience has demonstrated that organised copyright piracy is rarely an isolated criminal activity. Across several jurisdictions, the same criminal syndicates, logistics channels, financial networks and distribution systems used to traffic pirated goods have also been linked to other forms of transnational organised crime, including narcotics trafficking, money laundering, smuggling and cyber-enabled offences. This reality underscores the imperative for closer collaboration between agencies such as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the Nigerian Copyright Commission.

“The same clandestine supply chains, transportation routes, storage facilities, financial channels and distribution networks used for trafficking in illicit drugs and other prohibited goods may also be deployed for the movement and sale of pirated books, films, music, software and other copyright products. Proceeds from piracy may equally be laundered or channelled into other criminal activities.
“This connection makes collaboration between the Nigerian Copyright Commission and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency both necessary and timely. By combining our respective mandates, expertise and intelligence capabilities, we can more effectively identify criminal networks, trace illicit financial flows, disrupt illegal supply chains and dismantle the structures that sustain organised criminal enterprises.
“For the Nigerian Copyright Commission, this partnership offers an invaluable opportunity to leverage the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s world-class expertise in intelligence-led law enforcement. Over the years, the NDLEA has earned a well-deserved reputation, both nationally and internationally, for its professionalism, operational excellence and innovation in combating organised crime. Under the able leadership of the Chairman/Chief Executive, the Agency has demonstrated remarkable success in intelligence-driven operations, strategic investigations, forensic capabilities, surveillance, financial intelligence, international cooperation and effective inter-agency coordination.”

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President Bola Tinubu has said that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, was changing for the better under the current Minister, Nyesom Wike, 50 years after creation.

Tinubu made the remarks in Abuja on Friday, during a special thank you dinner to celebrate the successful inauguration of 31 projects across the FCT in 28 days.

Tinubu, represented by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, thanked Wike and his team for all the sacrifices to ensure the nation’s capital works for everyone.

He further commended the minister for demonstrating that “leadership is not measured by how loudly one announces plans, but how clearly the people can see the results of the plans.”

He said that the FCT belonged to every Nigerian, describing it as a city where unity resides, where diversity meets, and where the hope of every citizen finds a common address.

“Every new road done here shortens somebody’s journey, every new bridge connects more than communities; it connects friendship, it connects love, it connects unity, and also connects opportunities for Nigerians.

“Every completed project quietly tells Nigerians that the government can still work when vision meets determination,” he said.

Mr Aliyu Modibbo, a former minister of the FCT and current Special Adviser to the President on General Duties, Office of Vice President Kashim Shettima, argued that Wike is among the ministers of the territory that have performed very well.

Modibbo, who represented the Vice President at the event, expressed optimism that Wike would return as FCT minister in Tinubu’s second tenure saying, “four years is not enough to complete what you have started. ”

In his remarks, Wike recalled that when he assumed office as FCT minister in August 2023, he met depressed civil servants with no motivation to drive Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He said that he and the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud turned things around, by ensuring the establishment of the FCT Civil Service Commission, which allows civil servants to rise to the position of a Permanent Secretaries and Head of Civil Service.

He explained that Tinubu gave the approval to motivate the workers so that they could give their best for the development of the FCT.

The minister said that with the motivated workers, nine projects were inaugurated in the first year of Tinubu in office, 19 projects in the second year and 31 projects in the third year.

He added that the removal of FCT from the Treasury Single Account (TSA) also contributed to the feat, by enabling the administration to access funds from commercial banks to execute projects.

He commended the contractors for quality and timely delivery of projects across the territory and promised to continue to work with them to give residents the best.

“Comparatively, what Tinubu has done and will continue to do in the FCT is unprecedented. Most of the projects we completed were not initiated by the current administration and 70 per cent of them were abandoned projects.

“The only project that was not completed is the Inner Southern Expressway (OSEX),” Wike said.

He assured Tinubu of overwhelming support from Rivers, stressing that his Rainbow Coalition would consume any opposition in the state.

Also, Speaker of the House of Representative, Tajudeen Abbas, described Wike as the “best performing minister of the FCT” so far and commended the minister for the drive to change the landscape of the FCT.

Abbas, who was represented by the Majority Leader of the House of Representative, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, said that the nation’s capital has undergone monumental and unprecedented transformation under Wike’s stewardship.

Speaking on behalf of the contractors, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Dr Peer Lubasch, acknowledged that some of the contractors have seen more ribbon-cutting ceremonies in the past days than in the previous years.

Lubasch commended Tinubu for his commitment to infrastructure, economic growth and national development and applauded Wike for the vision, planning, and sustained investment that is transforming Abuja into Africa’s finest, purpose-built capital.

“Without any sense of immodesty, we are proud that we have been an integral part of Abuja’s story from its formative years to the present day,” he said.

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By Gloria Ikibah

Nigeria and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations as both countries seek to expand cooperation in diplomacy, culture and international affairs.

The renewed commitment was made during a courtesy visit by the Ambassador-designate of the DPRK to Nigeria, Mr Jo Yong Sam, to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.

In his welcome address, Ambassador Dunoma congratulated the envoy on his appointment and assured him of the Ministry’s full support in the discharge of his diplomatic responsibilities.

He expressed optimism that the cordial relationship between Nigeria and the DPRK, which dates back to 1976, would continue to flourish.

The Permanent Secretary acknowledged the DPRK’s consistent backing of Nigeria’s candidatures in international organisations and reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to peaceful dialogue aimed at promoting lasting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

He also proposed the early revival of cultural exchanges, particularly in film and the creative industry, alongside plans to convene the Fifth Session of the Nigeria–DPRK Joint Commission in Pyongyang on a mutually agreed date.

Ambassador Dunoma further advocated stronger reciprocal cooperation, including the allocation of land for the construction of a permanent Nigerian Embassy in Pyongyang and increased employment opportunities for Nigerians at the DPRK Embassy in Abuja.

He said, “The cordial relations between both countries, established in 1976, would continue to grow from strength to strength.”

In his remarks, Ambassador-designate Jo Yong Sam commended Nigeria’s leadership role on the African continent and its increasing influence in global affairs.

He also praised the country’s economic reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to strengthening relations as both countries prepare to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties.

The envoy further reiterated the DPRK’s support for Nigeria’s aspirations in international organisations, including its bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.

He identified visa facilitation as an important area requiring attention to encourage greater official exchanges and stronger people-to-people relations between both countries.

Ambassador Jo also proposed the institutionalisation of congratulatory messages between the leaders of Nigeria and the DPRK during national celebrations and other important occasions as a reflection of the enduring friendship between both nations.

He said, “The DPRK remains committed to strengthening bilateral relations as both countries commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.”

Responding, Ambassador Dunoma assured the Ambassador-designate that all issues raised during the meeting, including visa facilitation and the exchange of official messages between the leadership of both countries, would receive due consideration through the appropriate government channels.

Both sides restated their shared resolve to deepen bilateral cooperation and expand engagement in areas of mutual interest for the benefit of Nigeria and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.