Federal Ministry of Education and NDLEA Unite Against Drug Abuse

The Federal Ministry of Education has partnered with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to tackle the rising issue of drug abuse among students in Nigeria. The partnership was announced at a high-level meeting in Abuja, where the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, emphasized the importance of youth well-being to national development.

The Minister warned that synthetic drugs pose a significant threat to cognitive growth, academic success, and national security. To address this issue, the Ministry plans to integrate drug prevention into the secondary school curriculum, with plans to extend to the primary level. A new Substance Abuse Prevention Unit (SACU) will be established to coordinate prevention, early intervention, and public awareness nationwide.

The Minister praised the NDLEA's efforts and reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to multi-stakeholder collaboration, including civil society and communities. The NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), revealed that 14 million Nigerians aged 15-64 use drugs, with state-level prevalence up to 33%. The agency has made significant progress in addressing the issue, with over 40,000 arrests, 8,682 convictions, and 5,500+ metric tons of drugs seized over two years.

To address the crisis, both agencies will form a Joint Technical Working Group with representatives from Education, Health, and NDLEA. This group will lead curriculum development, awareness campaigns, teacher training, and drug testing policies in tertiary institutions. The NDLEA will support teacher training and provide weekly accountability updates.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, announced the immediate rollout of the SACU and collaboration with the NDLEA Academy in Jos. This initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda to empower youth for national transformation.

The partnership between the Federal Ministry of Education and NDLEA is a significant step towards addressing the issue of drug abuse among students in Nigeria. The integration of drug prevention into the school curriculum, establishment of SACU, and collaboration with NDLEA are expected to have a positive impact on the lives of young people and contribute to national development.