(Buba Marwa. Photo by State House Abuja)
The Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), has called on Nigerians to stand up against a growing pop culture that portrays drug abuse as a normal and acceptable way of life, particularly among young people.
Marwa made the call during the official commissioning of the agency’s radio station, Clean Beat 91.5FM, in Abuja on Thursday, May 21, 2026. He urged all stakeholders and well-meaning citizens to join the NDLEA’s War Against Drug Abuse campaign in an effort to protect the younger generation from the dangers of normalised drug use.
The NDLEA chief stressed that every drug abuse statistic represents a real human being, whether a vulnerable young person, a struggling family, or a gifted individual who has lost their way.
He said the station would serve as a platform to challenge harmful narratives by promoting sobriety, sharing genuine recovery stories, and providing accurate, potentially life-saving information to the public.
Marwa warned that the consequences of failing to control the narrative around drug abuse would be devastating, describing substance abuse as a deeply destructive force that fuels insecurity, damages public health, weakens economic productivity and threatens the future of the nation’s workforce.
He nonetheless expressed optimism, saying the launch of the station represented a proactive shift in strategy rather than a mere reaction to existing threats.
He emphasised that while enforcement operations remain essential, lasting victory over drug abuse can only be achieved through education and prevention, by dismantling demand and addressing the ignorance that draws young people into addiction.
The United Nations Country Representative, Cheikh Ousmane Touré, represented at the event by Dr Akanidomo Ibanga, praised Marwa for adopting radio as an advocacy tool, noting that the initiative reflects a commitment to innovative, people-focused approaches that complement enforcement with education and community dialogue.
The Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Charles Ebuebu, also commended the initiative, describing the station as a strategic use of broadcasting to drive national orientation, behavioural change and youth engagement.
He noted that with one of the youngest populations in the world, Nigeria’s most critical long-term investment must be the protection and empowerment of its youth, making the fight against drug abuse a national development priority, not just a law enforcement matter.
The Director General of the National Orientation Agency, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, represented by Mr Bala Musa, equally welcomed the radio station as a valuable tool for promoting positive attitudes and encouraging a reorientation of values among citizens.
