The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has entered into a partnership with Taraba State University, Jalingo, to strengthen efforts at curbing drug abuse and illicit substance use among students and youths within and beyond the campus community.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa, disclosed this when he received the Vice Chancellor of Taraba State University, Prof. Sunday Bako, who led members of the university’s management on a courtesy visit to the agency’s headquarters over the weekend.
Marwa said the collaboration aligns with the newly launched national drug test policy for schools, which mandates compulsory and random drug integrity tests for students as part of a broader strategy to discourage substance abuse among young Nigerians, especially those seeking admission into tertiary institutions.
According to him, the initiative, jointly driven by the Federal Ministry of Education and the NDLEA, is designed as a preventive measure rather than a punitive one, noting that early exposure to drug testing will reduce the tendency for youths to engage in illicit drug use.
Read more from New Daily Prime: NAFDAC destroys ₦10.19bn worth of counterfeit, expired products in Kano
“We are glad to work and partner with your university and the Taraba State Government on this critical issue,” Marwa said, adding that the policy would make young people more conscious of their choices, knowing that drug tests would be part of their educational journey.
The NDLEA boss commended the university for establishing a Directorate of Narcotics and Drug Abuse Prohibition, describing it as a proactive step that sets a benchmark for other tertiary institutions across the country.
He also pledged the agency’s support through capacity-building programmes, training, and other collaborative initiatives aimed at sustaining a drug-free academic environment.
Furthermore, Prof. Bako praised the leadership of Marwa for fostering professionalism and openness within the NDLEA, noting that the agency’s renewed vigour in combating drug abuse has earned it both national and international recognition.
He said the partnership was motivated by the growing challenge of drug and substance abuse among youths, which poses a serious threat to academic excellence, moral values, and national development.
Bako explained that the relationship between Taraba State University and the NDLEA dates back to August 2024, following the inauguration of the university’s anti-drug directorate and the launch of related sensitisation programmes by the NDLEA’s Taraba State Command.
He added that the university is keen to deepen collaboration with the agency in areas such as joint research on substance use disorder, policy-driven studies, public enlightenment campaigns, student internship opportunities, and community outreach programmes within Taraba State.
The partnership, he said, reflects a shared commitment to a multi-sectoral approach involving law enforcement agencies, educational institutions, and the wider society in addressing drug abuse and safeguarding the future of Nigerian youths.
For more details, visit New Daily Prime at www.newdailyprime.news
