The need for reliable data to guide drug prevention, treatment and policy decisions will take centre stage as the Centre for Research and Information on Substance Abuse (CRISA) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) convene researchers and policymakers in Abuja.
The two organisations are scheduled to hold the 16th Biennial International Conference on Drugs on October 21 and 22, 2026, at JADES Hotel, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja.
With the theme, “Substance Use Research and Data Systems in Africa: Advances, Relevance and Challenges,” the conference will examine the quality, availability and practical application of research data in addressing substance use across the continent.
The gathering comes amid concerns about changing patterns of drug use and trafficking, placing greater importance on evidence-based interventions that can guide prevention programmes, treatment services and public policy.
Participants are expected from government institutions, universities, civil society organisations, research bodies, development agencies and youth groups. Security and enforcement agencies, including the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Nigeria Customs Service and Nigerian Correctional Service, will also participate.
The conference will feature a keynote address by Prof. Gernot Klantschnig of the School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol, United Kingdom, whose research focuses on drugs and illicit economies in Africa.
Other scholars expected at the event include Prof. James Girei of Virginia Military Institute, United States, and Dr. Emeka Dumbili of the University of Dublin, alongside researchers from across Africa.
According to the organisers, the programme will include workshops, special panels and scientific sessions to present current research on substance use and drug policy in Nigeria and other African countries.
The discussions are expected to generate recommendations for strengthening drug data systems, expanding access to treatment and developing policies that respond effectively to the needs of people affected by substance use.
Founded in 1990 by Prof. Isidore Obot at the University of Jos, CRISA has conducted research, advocacy, publishing and treatment-related work in the field of substance use. The organisation also holds an annual national symposium between its biennial international conferences.
Its partnerships have included international organisations such as the European Union, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the Open Society Initiative for West Africa and the African Union.
The collaboration with ECOWAS provides a regional platform for discussing research findings and policy responses across West Africa, where differences in data collection and institutional capacity can affect the design and implementation of drug-related interventions.
The outcome of the Abuja conference will depend on how far the recommendations can be translated into stronger research systems, improved treatment delivery and practical policy decisions across Nigeria and the wider West African region.
