The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Buba Marwa, has cautioned Nigerian youths against drug abuse, warning that it poses a serious threat to their future and career prospects.
Marwa delivered the warning on Tuesday while presenting the convocation lecture at the 29th and 30th combined convocation ceremony of the University of Abuja in Abuja.
Speaking on the theme, “High Today, Lost Tomorrow: The Real Cost of Drug Abuse on Campus,” the NDLEA boss said substance abuse is no longer confined to the streets but has become increasingly prevalent within academic environments.
He noted that drug use has evolved from traditional substances such as cannabis to more dangerous synthetic opioids and designer drugs, including Colorado, Loud and methamphetamine. Marwa also expressed concern over the growing use of social media platforms for drug distribution and the involvement of students in trafficking activities.
“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 explained that drug abuse affects brain function by altering neurotransmitters, resulting in impaired memory and reduced critical thinking. He added that substance abuse is often linked to cultism and campus violence, warning that arrest and conviction could permanently derail professional ambitions.
Citing NDLEA data, he disclosed that more than 77,000 drug offenders have been arrested over the past five years, with over 60 per cent of them being young people. He further revealed that the majority of the more than 48,000 individuals treated in NDLEA facilities within the same period were youths.
Referencing findings from the 2018 National Drug Use and Health Survey, Marwa said many Nigerians begin experimenting with drugs around the age of 19, with cases involving younger teenagers on the rise.
Addressing the graduating students, he urged them to remain focused and resist peer pressure as they transition into the next phase of their lives.
“You are about to enter a world that is AI-powered and fintech-driven. There is no room for a clouded mind in a fast-paced environment. Choose your circle carefully. If your friends require you to be ‘high’ to belong, you are in the wrong company,” he said.
He emphasised that character is as important as academic achievement, warning against sacrificing long-term goals for temporary pleasure.
“Nigeria needs your talent, your energy and—most importantly—your sober mind to lead us into the next decade,” he added.
Marwa also called for intensified collaboration among stakeholders to combat drug abuse, noting that its impact extends beyond individuals to families, institutions and society through increased crime and reduced productivity.
He commended the university’s leadership for its partnership with the NDLEA in strengthening campus surveillance and urged tertiary institutions to prioritise drug education during student orientation programmes.
Dignitaries at the event included the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Olanrewaju Tejuoso; the Vice-Chancellor, Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi; and Council Member, Adedeji Adefuye, alongside other senior officials of the university and the NDLEA.
