The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has called on Nigerians to actively counter what he described as a “toxic pop culture” that glamorises drug abuse, particularly among young people.
Marwa made the appeal on Thursday, May 21, 2026, in Abuja during the official commissioning of the NDLEA’s new radio station, Clean Beat 91.5FM, a platform designed to strengthen public enlightenment and anti-drug advocacy.
He said the station would serve as a strategic tool in the Agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, combining enforcement with education to reduce demand for illicit substances and prevent youth involvement in drug use.
According to him, drug abuse narratives must be challenged with sustained public messaging that promotes sobriety, recovery and accurate information.
“We recognize that behind every statistic of drug abuse is a human being,” Marwa said. “A vulnerable teenager seeking escape; a broken family searching for answers; a brilliant mind derailed but capable of redirection.”
He warned that failure to control public narratives around substance use could have severe national consequences, noting that drug abuse fuels insecurity, weakens public health systems and undermines economic productivity.
Marwa said Clean Beat 91.5FM represents a shift from reactive enforcement to proactive prevention, stressing that education remains central to winning the long-term fight against drug abuse.
“While enforcement wins battles, education and prevention win wars,” he said. “True victory is achieved when we dismantle demand and conquer the ignorance that leads young people into addiction.”
He added that the station would promote recovery stories, youth engagement and life-saving information, describing radio as a powerful and accessible medium in Nigeria’s media landscape.
Marwa also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving funding for the project, as well as the National Security Adviser and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) for granting the operational frequency.
He described the launch as a national milestone in public communication and drug control advocacy, urging young Nigerians to embrace the station as a platform for positive engagement.
“To all Nigerians, and most especially to our vibrant youth: this station is yours,” he said. “Let us rewrite the story of our generation and keep the beat clean.”
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Country Representative, Mr. Cheikh Ousmane Touré, represented by Dr. Akanidomo Ibanga, praised the initiative, describing it as an innovative approach that complements enforcement with education and community engagement.
He said the project aligns with Nigeria’s National Drug Control Master Plan and strengthens NDLEA’s leadership in balanced drug control strategies.
Similarly, the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Mr. Charles Ebuebu, commended the agency for deploying broadcasting as a tool for behavioural change and youth development, describing the initiative as a strategic investment in national orientation.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) also endorsed the project, with its Director-General, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, represented by Mr. Bala Musa, noting that the station would support citizen reorientation and promote positive societal values.
The NDLEA said Clean Beat 91.5FM will focus on advocacy, education and youth-focused programming aimed at reducing drug demand and strengthening national resilience against substance abuse.
