Tribute to Mr. Olugbenga Olusanu Mabo

Mr. Mabo was born 1959. He started his higher education career at the University of Lagos, Lagos state, Nigeria, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in history followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from the same institution. He also holds a master’s degree in social work from the Lagos State University.

In 1990, he joined the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) where he held many command and administrative positions before becoming the Director of Operations and General Investigation, a position he held for 8 years and as a member of the Agency’s management team. Over the years, he demonstrated exceptional dedication and commitment to his work. He retired in 2019 at the statutory age of 60.

In retirement, Mr. Mabo took special interest in the field of drug demand reduction, especially in prevention. He successfully completed the UPC Core training, School, Community, and Family-based specialty tracks and became a UPC National Trainer with Global Initiative on Substance Abuse (GISA). He also completed the UPC Core 3 pilot course and the Universal Recovery Curriculum (URC) ALLIES Model Course. He was a member of the International Society of Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Professionals (ISSUP) and participated in the 2022 ISSUP Global Conference held in Abu Dhabi where he expanded his global network in the field of drug demand reduction. At the conference, he successfully wrote and passed two certificate examinations (UPC and URC), making him one of the first set of drug demand reduction practitioners in Nigeria to write the certificate examinations.

With a total of 32 years, he became one of the members of ISSUP Nigeria Chapter with the highest number of accumulated work experience in the field of drug control. He was one of the silent supporters of ISSUP Nigeria Chapter activities, readily available, humble, committed, passionate, eager to learn, impact and share from his wealth of experience. As part of his commitment and support, he served as the co chairman and later chairman of the Alcohol Policy Committee of ISSUP Nigeria Chapter. He was also the representative of ISSUP Nigeria Chapter on the development of Alternative to Incarceration for persons who use drugs in Nigeria.

Mr Mabo passed on May 27, 2023, at the age of 63 years. He will be greatly missed! Rest in peace!