Abuja, April 14, 2026 – The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mohamed Buba Marwa, has cautioned Nigerian youths, particularly students in tertiary institutions, against drug abuse, warning that it carries devastating consequences capable of ruining their future.
Marwa gave the warning on Tuesday while delivering a public lecture at the 29th and 30th combined convocation ceremony of the University of Abuja in Abuja.
The lecture was titled “High Today, Lost Tomorrow: The Real Cost of Drug Abuse on Campus.”
He said substance abuse had evolved from being a street problem to a growing concern within academic environments, noting that the drug landscape had shifted from traditional substances such as cannabis to synthetic opioids and designer drugs, including methamphetamine, “Colorado” and “Loud.”
According to him, the use of social media platforms for drug distribution and the involvement of students in trafficking are emerging trends that require urgent attention.
“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.
Marwa said drug abuse adversely affects brain function, erodes memory and critical thinking, and is closely linked with cultism and campus violence.
He added that the menace had led to the loss of many young Nigerians to mental health challenges and premature death.
Citing statistics, the NDLEA boss said that more than 60 per cent of the 77,859 drug offenders arrested in the last five years were youths.
He added that the majority of the 48,836 drug users who received counselling and treatment within the same period were also young people.
Marwa further said that available data indicated that many Nigerians were introduced to substance abuse at about the age of 19, with increasing cases among younger teenagers.
Addressing graduating students, he urged them to remain sober and focused as they transition into a fast-paced, technology-driven world.
“You are about to enter a world that is AI-powered and fintech-driven. There is no room for a clouded mind. Choose your circle wisely, as peer pressure remains a major gateway to drug use,” he said.
He emphasised that character should take precedence over academic achievement, urging the students not to sacrifice their future for temporary pleasure.
Marwa also called on stakeholders to intensify efforts in combating drug abuse, stressing that its effects extend beyond individuals to families, institutions and society at large.
He noted that drug abuse contributes significantly to crime and undermines national development.
According to him, a nation cannot thrive when its youth population is compromised by substance abuse.
Marwa commended the management of the university for its collaboration with the NDLEA in strengthening campus surveillance and urged other institutions to prioritise drug education during orientation programmes and academic activities.
Dignitaries at the event included the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Sen. Olanrewaju Tejuoso, and the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi, among others.
