NDLEA Raises Alarm As Four In Ten Nigerian Undergraduates Engage In Drug Abuse.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Oyo State Command, has revealed a concerning statistic: approximately four to five out of every ten undergraduates in Nigeria are involved in drug abuse. The disclosure was made by Oyo State NDLEA Commander, Olayinke Joe-Fadile, during a rally in Ibadan on Wednesday, 25 June 2025, to mark the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, also known as World Drug Day.
Speaking at the event, which carried the theme “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention, Break the Circle,” Commander Joe-Fadile expressed alarm at the growing prevalence of drug use among young people, noting that children as young as nine are now exposed to illicit substances. “The statistics are showing us that about four to five out of ten undergraduates are into drugs,” he stated, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated action to address the crisis.
The NDLEA has intensified its efforts to combat the issue, launching prevention campaigns across primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions in Oyo State. Joe-Fadile emphasised that the agency is focusing on addressing the root causes of drug abuse by strengthening health, education, and social systems. To amplify its outreach, the NDLEA has enlisted traditional and religious leaders as ambassadors to spread anti-drug messages within their communities. “We have discovered that many people respect and listen to religious leaders, hence we are collaborating with them, using their platforms to reach out to many people,” he said.
The rally, attended by representatives from the Nigerian Army, Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, and the National Youth Service Corps, underscored the agency’s collaborative approach to tackling drug abuse. Joe-Fadile revealed that over the past few months, the Oyo State Command arrested 150 individuals for drug-related offences and destroyed approximately 11 tonnes of seized illicit substances. He warned that drug use can lead to severe health consequences, including organ damage and a “slow and painful death,” and vowed that the NDLEA would relentlessly pursue manufacturers, producers, and sellers of illicit drugs.
The agency’s efforts align with broader national initiatives to curb drug trafficking and abuse. In Adamawa State, the NDLEA reported confiscating four tonnes of illicit drugs and arresting 583 suspects between June 2024 and June 2025, demonstrating the scale of the challenge. Senator Ned Nwoko, a member of the Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, described drug abuse as a national crisis requiring dedicated infrastructure and focused intervention, noting that the NDLEA alone cannot bridge the systemic gaps.
As Nigeria grapples with this growing public health issue, the NDLEA’s call for increased investment in prevention and community engagement signals a proactive approach to breaking the cycle of drug abuse. The agency’s ongoing campaigns and partnerships aim to protect the nation’s youth and foster a drug-free future.
