ECOWAS Hands Over Renovated Drug Treatment And Rehabilitation Centre At Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Nigeria
An ECOWAS mission has been in Kano, Nigeria, since 25 March 2025 as part of its support to Member States for the treatment and rehabilitation of people with drug use disorders (PWDs).
The mission officially handed over the building and equipment for the extension of the Dater Ward for Occupational Therapy at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital and organised an advocacy meeting with stakeholders.
The keys were handed over to Prof Abdulrahman Abba SHESHE, the Chief Medical Director of the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), by Dr Daniel Akwasi Amankwaah, Principal Programme Officer of the ECOWAS Drug Prevention and Control Division, at an official ceremony held on Thursday 27 March 2025, in the presence of the staff of the hospital.
The ceremony was attended by Abubakar Ahmad Idris, The Kano State Commander of the National Drugs Laws Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), officials from the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Nigerian Permanent Mission to ECOWAS, representatives of the Kano State Government, traditional rulers, experts from the ECOWAS Commission and several other guests.
Speaking on behalf of Dr Sintiki Tarfa Ugbe, ECOWAS Director of Humanitarian and Social Affairs, Dr Daniel Amankwaah expressed ECOWAS’ commitment to promoting regional cooperation and providing technical and financial assistance to Member States in the fight against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
Professor Abdulrahman Abba Sheshe, Chief Medical Officer of AKTH, thanked the authorities of the ECOWAS Commission, including the President of the Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, and Prof. Fatou Sow Sarr, Commissioner for Human Development & Social Affairs, for this philanthropic gesture and pledged to make judicious use of the centre. Prof. Abdulrahman Abba Sheshe described drug and substance abuse as a pandemic that requires the support of the regional body.
The Kano State Commander of the NDLEA, Mr Abubakar Ahmad Idris, informed participants that his unit had successfully rehabilitated over 100 patients in 2024, representing a 43% increase on 2023, with a significant increase in anti-addiction campaigns.
‘As ECOWAS continues to work towards its vision of a united and prosperous West Africa, its efforts in the fight against drug addiction will be essential in creating a brighter and healthier future for the region,’ said Abubakar Ahmad Idris.
The Kano drug treatment centre brings to 8 the number of fully completed ECOWAS supported drug treatment facilities in Member States. ECOWAS support will improve access to treatment and rehabilitation for people suffering from drug use disorders in this Nigerian state with a population of over 15 million.
As a reminder, the ECOWAS Commission conducted an empirical survey of drug treatment and rehabilitation facilities in West Africa in 2019. Guided by the responses and results of the survey, it launched the project to help Member States improve access to drug treatment and rehabilitation for PWDs by supporting treatment and rehabilitation centres in Member States. By October 2024, eight centres in five Member States had been renovated thanks to ECOWAS support. In addition to these eight, the renovation of 6 other centres is currently underway.
Support to Member States is accompanied by advocacy visits to hand over completed facilities, exchange with stakeholders and raise awareness of the need to include drug prevention and control activities in their community budgeting and planning.
