The Chairman and CEO of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa has said that the agency seized over 11.1 million kilogrammes of illicit drugs and secured more than 12,000 convictions in the last four and a half years.
He also noted that over 26,000 drug users have been rehabilitated through various recovery programmes.
Marwa revealed these during the inaugural National Drug and Substance Abuse Prevention Music Talent Hunt Concert, collaboration between the African Youth Initiative on Crime Prevention (AYICRIP), the University of Lagos, and the Zidora Aid Foundation.
Held at the University of Lagos, the event featured a range of performances—including music, spoken word, dance, and drama—designed to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and promote prevention among youth.
Queen’s College, Lagos, emerged as the overall champion of the competition, earning a ₦50,000 prize. They were followed by Wesley School, which took second place with ₦30,000, while Birel School secured third place with a ₦20,000 reward.
Marwa said the NDLEA had adopted a ‘whole-of-government and society’ approach in its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) Social Advocacy Programme, which launched in June 2021. ‘We continue to open our doors to collaboration—not just to enforce the law, but to change the culture’, he stated.
He described the campaign’s slogan, ‘One Nation, One Voice’, as a call to action for young people to lead the charge against drug abuse: ‘The most powerful voice in this fight must come from students and youth—it’s your future at stake’.
Highlighting the widespread impact of substance abuse, Marwa warned of its insidious presence in schools, social media, music, and even homes. ‘Every pill, every puff, every injection carries a price far greater than a fleeting moment of pleasure—it costs dreams, dignity, lives’.
‘Beyond enforcement, we are rehabilitating drug users with over 26,000 people counselled and treated. But we need society-wide cooperation’, he added.
In his remarks, Executive Director of AYICRIP, Chris Ibe, emphasised that ‘the concert was more than entertainment: it was a rallying cry to youth: “Say no to drugs, say yes to purpose and a brighter future”’
He stressed that the platform provides an opportunity for youths to showcase their creativity, passion and commitment to a drug free Nigeria. Through dance, word, live performance and artistics competition, we are giving a voice to a new generation, one that refuses to be defined by drugs, crime or hopelessness.
Meanwhile, Dr. Peter Adenibuyan, representing Dr. Olajumoke Koyejo of International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP), Nigeria, described substance abuse as a global pandemic, calling for stronger home-front interventions.
He urged greater investment in training for healthcare providers, educators, and caregivers on recognizing and supporting those facing substance use disorders, while pushing for substance-abuse education to be included in school curricula and professional training programs.
