Marwa Advocates Stronger Drug Education in Universities

By Zainab Uzomah

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has warned Nigerian youths that drug abuse carries long-term consequences capable of derailing their careers and ambitions.

According to a statement by Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy at the NDLEA, Marwa delivered the warning on Tuesday during the public lecture marking the 29th and 30th combined convocation ceremony of the University of Abuja.

Speaking on the theme, “High Today, Lost Tomorrow: The Real Cost of Drug Abuse on Campus,” Marwa said substance abuse has evolved from a street-level issue into a growing concern within university campuses.

He noted a shift from traditional drugs such as cannabis to more dangerous synthetic substances, including opioids and designer drugs like Colorado, Loud and methamphetamine. He also raised concern over the increasing use of social media platforms for drug distribution and the involvement of students in trafficking.

Marwa cautioned that drug-related offences could permanently damage professional prospects. “A criminal record for drug offences is a life sentence on your career before it even begins. You cannot practise law, medicine or engineering with a drug-related conviction,” he said.

He added that drug abuse affects mental capacity, fuels cultism and campus violence, and could lead to psychosis, premature death and the loss of Nigeria’s brightest talents.

Citing findings from the 2018 National Drug Use and Health Survey, Marwa said substance abuse is prevalent among Nigerians aged 25 to 39, withmany individuals initiated into drug use around age 19. He expressed concern that even younger children are now experimenting with illicit substances.

NDLEA statistics, he said, show that more than 60% of the 77,859 drug offenders arrested in the past five years were youths, while a majority of the 48,836 individuals treated in agency facilities within the same period were also young people.

Addressing graduating students, Marwa urged them to remain focused and avoid negative peer influence as they step into a technology-driven world. He emphasised the need for clarity of mind, discipline and strong values.

“Nigeria needs your talent, your energy, and—most importantly—your sober mind to lead us into the next decade,” he said.He also called on stakeholders to intensify efforts against drug abuse, noting that its impact extends beyond individuals to families, institutions and national development.

Marwa commended the University of Abuja for collaborating with the NDLEA to strengthen campus surveillance and urged tertiary institutions to expand drug education programmes.

The lecture was attended by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Senator Olanrewaju Tejuoso; Vice Chancellor, Professor Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi; members of the governing council, university officials, students and NDLEA officers, among others.