Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Kano State Government has entered into a strategic partnership with the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Drugs and Illicit Trafficking to host the North-West Regional Summit on Drug Abuse, Drug Trafficking, Tobacco and Alcohol Control, an initiative aimed at strengthening Nigeria's response to the growing incidence of substance abuse, particularly among young people. The summit, scheduled to be held later this year in Kano, is expected to bring together policymakers, security agencies, health professionals, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to chart a coordinated response to the menace that has devastated communities across the region.
The collaboration was sealed during a courtesy visit by members of the committee to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, where both parties pledged to strengthen efforts to combat substance abuse and its associated social consequences across the North-West. Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Hon. Oluwatimehin Adelegbe, described Kano State's commitment to tackling drug abuse, illicit trafficking, tobacco use and alcohol-related harm as a significant milestone in Nigeria's collective effort to protect its youth and secure the nation's future. Represented by Hon. Rabiu Yusuf, who represents the Sumaila/Takai Federal Constituency of Kano State, Adelegbe commended Governor Yusuf for embracing the National Assembly's initiative and accepting to partner with the committee in hosting the regional summit.
According to Adelegbe, the summit forms part of the committee's advocacy platforms designed to generate practical solutions that would culminate in comprehensive legislative reforms and coordinated national action against drug abuse and illicit trafficking. He said Kano was deliberately selected to host the North-West edition because of its strategic location, population, institutional capacity, economic influence and longstanding leadership role in Northern Nigeria. "The Governor's decision reflects a strong commitment to safeguarding the future of young people and positioning Kano State at the forefront of the regional campaign against one of the greatest social and public health challenges confronting Nigeria today," Adelegbe said.
The lawmaker stressed that the fight against drug abuse and trafficking could not be left to law enforcement agencies alone but requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach involving legislation, prevention, education, rehabilitation, community mobilisation and strategic partnerships. He expressed confidence that the summit would produce practical recommendations to strengthen Nigeria's legislative framework while positioning Kano as a model for regional cooperation and evidence-based interventions to protect young people and build healthier communities. The collaboration, he explained, extends beyond hosting a conference, representing a strategic alliance between the Kano State Government and the National Assembly to develop sustainable legislative, policy, community and institutional responses capable of reducing the prevalence of drug abuse and related social vices throughout the North-West.
The summit will bring together stakeholders from the seven North-West states, including state governments, members of the National and State Assemblies, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), NAFDAC, the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Federal Ministry of Health, security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, development partners, healthcare professionals, youth groups, educational institutions, rehabilitation centres and private sector representatives. During the visit, the committee also presented its proposed national strategy on drug abuse, illicit drug trafficking, tobacco use and alcohol-related harm to the Kano State Government, signaling a comprehensive approach to addressing the multifaceted crisis.
As part of its engagement in Kano, the House committee held separate consultations with the Kano State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, where discussions focused on emerging drug trafficking patterns, enforcement challenges, prevention efforts and areas requiring stronger institutional collaboration. The delegation also visited the Kano Reformatory Centre in Kiru, where the coordinator briefed members on the centre's rehabilitation programmes, vocational training initiatives, operational challenges and expansion plans. The lawmakers interacted with recovering clients and observed rehabilitation and reintegration activities. They also met with members of the Kano State House of Assembly to explore areas of legislative collaboration ahead of the summit.
Responding on behalf of Governor Yusuf, the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Farouk Ibrahim, reaffirmed the state's readiness to collaborate fully with the National Assembly to ensure the successful hosting of the summit. He said the state government remained committed to supporting broader efforts aimed at reducing drug abuse, strengthening public health interventions and protecting communities across the North-West. The planned summit comes amid growing concern over the rising prevalence of substance abuse, particularly among young Nigerians, with the North-West region recording some of the highest rates of drug use in the country. Successive governments have struggled to contain the crisis, which has been linked to rising insecurity, youth unemployment, and the breakdown of social cohesion in many communities.
The partnership between Kano State and the House of Representatives represents a significant step towards a coordinated legislative and policy response to the drug crisis in the North-West. By hosting the regional summit, Kano is positioning itself as a leader in the fight against substance abuse, leveraging its strategic location, institutional capacity and political influence to drive regional collaboration and evidence-based interventions. For the millions of young Nigerians affected by drug abuse and trafficking, the summit offers a glimmer of hope that the government is finally taking the crisis seriously. However, the success of the initiative will ultimately depend on the willingness of all stakeholders to translate the summit's recommendations into concrete action, including legislative reforms, increased funding for rehabilitation and prevention programmes, and stronger cross-border cooperation to disrupt drug trafficking networks. As the summit approaches, the eyes of the nation will be on Kano, where the battle against one of Nigeria's most pressing public health challenges is set to enter a new phase.
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