A former Vice-Chancellor has issued a strong warning to students in Nigeria's higher institutions, urging them to reject destructive behaviours that jeopardise their future and the nation's leadership.
Call for Responsible Leadership on Campus
Professor Mohammed Nasirudeen Maiturare, the former head of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University in Lapai, made this passionate appeal during a public lecture in Minna. The event, held on 10 January 2026, was organised by the Students’ Wing of the Coalition of Northern Groups in Niger State.
The lecture focused on “Building Responsible Student Leadership: Combating Drug Abuse, Thuggery and Hate Speech and Campus Disunity Through Positive Values and Mentorship.” Professor Maiturare stressed that social ills flourish when societal values decline, mentorship is lacking, and leaders lose their moral direction. “When this happens, the ivory tower begins to crack from within,” he cautioned.
He expressed deep worry over the serious challenges facing campuses nationwide, which threaten the core ideals of education. “Drug abuse, violent conduct, intolerance in speech, and divisions among students do not appear overnight,” he added, highlighting the gradual erosion of standards.
Alarming NDLEA Statistics on Student Drug Use
Supporting the professor's concerns, officials from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) presented startling data. Representing the Niger State NDLEA Commander, Shehu Gwadawaba, Area Commander Hamisu Mohammed cited a United Nations study.
The data reveals a troubling disparity: while the global rate of drug use among students is 5.6%, Nigeria's prevalence is a staggering 14.5%. The North Central region, where the lecture took place, has a rate of 10.4%.
Mohammed stated that this high prevalence is a major concern for the NDLEA, leading to targeted raids in universities. He further disclosed a shocking estimate: about 50% of university students, both on and off campus, are involved in drugs. The agency is now collaborating with student union bodies to implement primary measures to curb this menace.
Nationwide Crackdown on Drug Trafficking
Parallel to the advocacy on campuses, the NDLEA is intensifying its operational crackdown. In a related development, the agency announced the arrest of a wanted female kingpin in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The suspect, 65-year-old Fatima Ilori (aka Mama Kerosine), was described as a major distributor of illicit drugs. She was arrested on Monday, December 29, 2025, in an intelligence-led operation after 238.4 kg of skunk (cannabis) linked to her was seized. Another suspect, 35-year-old Olusanya Abosede, was also apprehended.
NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi confirmed other significant seizures. The agency intercepted illicit substances like ketamine, ecstasy, and tramadol pills, cleverly hidden in coffee mix sachets and book parcels bound for Zambia and the UK in late December 2025.
In a major maritime bust, the NDLEA took into custody 22 Indian crew members of the merchant vessel MV Aruna Hulya. This followed the seizure of 31.5 kg of cocaine at the Apapa Port in Lagos on Friday, January 2, 2026.
Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, National Coordinator of the Coalition of Northern Groups, emphasised that the lecture aimed to inspire reflection and rekindle a sense of responsibility. He reminded everyone that campuses are not just centres of learning but crucial training grounds for the nation's future leaders.
