Marwa Urges Women, Youth Entrepreneurs to Verify Partners, Protect Nigeria’s Global Trade Reputation
By Chioma Vivian James | Abuja
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has cautioned exporters, women and young entrepreneurs against allowing their businesses to become channels for illicit drug trafficking, warning that a single contaminated shipment could lead to imprisonment, reputational damage and loss of access to international markets.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.), gave the warning at a masterclass organised by the Aspire Women Forum at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Speaking on the theme, “From Survival to Thriving: Empowering Women and Youth for Export Readiness, Global Market Access and Prosperity under the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Marwa urged aspiring exporters to exercise due diligence in their business transactions and ensure that their goods were not used to conceal or transport prohibited substances.
He stressed that participation in international trade required more than producing quality goods, noting that vigilance, integrity and strict compliance with export regulations were essential to building sustainable businesses.
“Know exactly what you are shipping. Verify your partners and your transactions. Never carry a package you did not pack, and never let your goods be used for trafficking,” he warned.
Marwa explained that unsuspecting business owners could suffer severe consequences if their consignments were discovered to contain illicit drugs, regardless of their claims of ignorance.
According to him, the consequences extend beyond possible imprisonment to include damage to family reputations, loss of business credibility and jeopardy to market opportunities painstakingly secured by Nigerian exporters.
He therefore urged entrepreneurs to understand the contents of their consignments, verify the credibility of their business partners and exercise caution when handling packages or accepting goods for shipment on behalf of others.
Earlier, the Founder and President of Aspire Women Forum, Dr. Zainab Marwa, identified gaps in business management, access to finance, packaging and connections to buyers as some of the challenges preventing many Nigerians from translating their hard work into financial stability.
She said the masterclass was designed to equip participants with the knowledge and practical insights needed to identify export opportunities, improve their business operations and position their enterprises for sustainable growth in international markets.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by the Special Assistant to the President on Humanitarian Affairs and Development Partners, Inna Binta Audu, said sustainable national prosperity depended on productive enterprise, investment, innovation and the ability of Nigerians to create economic value.
He emphasised the importance of placing women and young people at the centre of Nigeria’s economic development, noting that genuine economic inclusion required access to the tools, institutions and markets necessary for entrepreneurs to convert their skills into sustainable income.
Shettima also commended Aspire Women Forum for organising the programme, stressing that Nigeria’s ambition to build a $1 trillion economy required an enabling environment where businesses could emerge, expand and compete effectively.
The masterclass highlighted the importance of combining export readiness and business development with strict adherence to the law, as Nigerian entrepreneurs seek to expand their presence in international markets.
For aspiring exporters, the NDLEA’s warning serves as a reminder that protecting a business begins with knowing what is being shipped, who is handling the transaction and whether every stage of the process complies with the law.
