Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has pledged full support for the ongoing efforts of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in combating substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking across the country.
The endorsement came on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, during a courtesy visit by the leadership of NANS, led by its National President, Comrade Sola Oladoja, to the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), at the Agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
The students’ body also reaffirmed its support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, expressing confidence in ongoing youth-focused policies and programmes of the administration.
Oladoja commended Marwa for his leadership and the agency’s sustained successes in dismantling drug trafficking networks. He also praised the NDLEA’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, describing it as impactful in raising awareness across tertiary institutions.
He further noted that NANS’ support for the administration was based on tangible interventions in the education and youth sectors, including student loan schemes, resolution of strikes in tertiary institutions, and empowerment initiatives.
In his response, Marwa expressed appreciation for the support of the student community, describing Nigerian students as a vital force in national development.
He stressed the need for continued collaboration to tackle drug abuse on campuses, warning that substance abuse poses serious risks to students’ health, academic performance, and future prospects.
Marwa also defended the Federal Government’s newly introduced Drug Integrity Test Policy for students, explaining that it is preventive rather than punitive and aimed at early detection and effective rehabilitation.
According to him, the initiative is designed to protect young people and reduce long-term social and health consequences associated with drug abuse.
The NDLEA boss reiterated that the agency remains committed to its mandate of reducing drug demand and supply while strengthening partnerships with stakeholders in the education sector.
A statement by the Agency’s Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said the visit ended with a mutual agreement to deepen cooperation between NDLEA and NANS in the ongoing campaign against substance abuse in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
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