By Oluwakemi Kindness
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has thrown its weight behind the ongoing anti-drug campaign led by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), pledging stronger collaboration to curb substance abuse and illicit trafficking across campuses nationwide.
The commitment was made during a courtesy visit by NANS leadership, led by its National President, Sola Oladoja, to the NDLEA Chairman, Mohamed Buba Marwa, at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
In a statement issued by NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, the student body also reaffirmed support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Renewed Hope Agenda, including backing his potential re-election bid in 2027.
Oladoja praised Marwa’s leadership, highlighting the agency’s intensified crackdown on drug cartels and the impact of its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, which he said has significantly boosted awareness in tertiary institutions.
He noted that NANS’ endorsement of the current administration is rooted in what he described as “tangible pro-youth achievements,” including the introduction of student loan schemes, improved stability in higher institutions, and expanded youth empowerment initiatives.
Responding, Marwa welcomed the show of solidarity, describing Nigerian students as a vital force in national development. He emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration in tackling drug abuse, particularly within academic environments.
The NDLEA boss also shed light on the Federal Government’s proposed Drug Integrity Test Policy for students, clarifying that the initiative is designed as a preventive and protective measure—not punitive—with a focus on early detection, treatment, and rehabilitation.
Both parties concluded the meeting with a shared resolve to deepen cooperation in safeguarding Nigerian campuses from the dangers of substance abuse.
