By Nidala Muhammad Rabiu The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has called for mandatory drug testing for all prospec...
By Nidala Muhammad Rabiu
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has called for mandatory drug testing for all prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), as part of its renewed strategy to combat youth drug abuse in Nigeria.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), made this known on Saturday during a “Training the Trainer” workshop in Abuja. The event, hosted in partnership with the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), aims to equip church leaders and community influencers with tools to educate and guide young people away from drug use.
Represented by the agency’s Director of Drug Demand Reduction, Ngozi Madubuike, Marwa explained that mandatory testing at NYSC orientation camps would serve both as a deterrent and an avenue for early intervention.
"If youths know drug tests are part of camp activities, many will avoid drugs altogether. The goal is early help for those who need it,” said Marwa.
The drug testing initiative is a key component of the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, which promotes education, prevention, and rehabilitation alongside enforcement.
NDLEA already provides affordable test kits to schools and deploys trained officers to conduct tests. The agency is also pushing for drug screening policies in other sectors, including public service, despite resistance from some quarters.
Marwa stressed that drug abuse is deeply rooted in broader social, economic, and environmental issues, requiring collective national action.
“Only united national efforts can reverse the growing crisis of substance abuse among Nigerian youths,” he added.
He urged parents, teachers, religious figures, and community leaders to collaborate in building strong support systems and promoting open communication with youths.
Juliet Michael, childhood education expert and secretary of the National Cancer Society, described the initiative as “timely and necessary.”
“In the past, a stern look from parents could set a child straight. Today, many parents struggle to connect with their children,” she said.
Michael attributed much of the youth crisis to peer pressure and the breakdown of values in many homes. She encouraged parents to be role models, welcome their children’s friends, and create nurturing environments.
The NDLEA reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with NYSC and educational institutions to strengthen youth-focused anti-drug measures.
As Nigeria faces rising drug abuse statistics, the agency believes this proactive approach could mark a turning point in national prevention efforts
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