The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced a proposed primary control strategy designed to protect newly admitted university students from being lured into drug use. This initiative aims to tackle the growing concern of substance abuse within tertiary institutions head-on.
Alarming Trends on Campus Prompt Action
The revelation was made by the Niger State Commander of the NDLEA, Shehu Nomau Gwadabawa. He was represented by Amisu Mohammed, the Area Commander of the NDLEA Minna Municipal Special Operations Base, during a public lecture in Minna. The event, themed Building Responsible Student Leadership, Combating Drug, Thuggery, Hate Speech and Campus Disunity Through Positive Value and Mentorship, was organized by the Students’ Wing of the Coalition of Northern Groups (SW-CNG), Niger State Chapter, at the College of Education, Minna, over the weekend of January 10-11, 2026.
Commander Gwadabawa expressed serious concern over the rising involvement of students in drug use across university campuses. He emphasized that the proposed primary control strategy is a preventive measure intended to deter initiation into drug abuse, particularly among vulnerable freshers.
Raids, Arrests, and a Landmark Prosecution
Providing concrete examples, the Commander disclosed that the NDLEA regularly conducts raids on the campuses of the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna. He stated a startling statistic: "if Ten (10) persons were arrested, Eight of them would be University students."
He detailed a strategic partnership forged with the student union government. "We sat with the leadership and told them we are going to scale down our raid outside the University campuses, but, then, on their own part too, the partnership is that, they should intensify war against drug abuse sensitization within the campuses," he explained. This collaborative approach reportedly yielded positive results within the university community.
The Commander further revealed a more severe issue that had emerged: students transitioning from drug use to drug dealing. To combat this, the command set a powerful precedent in 2025 by arresting and prosecuting a 200-level student. "We have to set a precedent... that deterred a lot of the students, so, we have less issues of drug dealings within the University campuses now," he affirmed.
Cannabis: The Prevalent Threat Among Students
Highlighting the specific drug of choice, Commander Gwadabawa identified cannabis as the most commonly abused substance among the student population. However, he clarified that it is not the ordinary variety.
"Among students, what top the chart of drug usage in terms of prevalence is Cannabis Sativa, though, what it’s most common among students is re-define Cannabis Sativa which we call (lite kalos), known as loud," he said. He confirmed that 'Loud,' a potent, redefined form of cannabis, is consistently found during campus raids.
The NDLEA's proposed strategy represents a focused effort to safeguard the future of Nigeria's youth by creating a healthier academic environment free from the scourge of drug abuse.
