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FG Warns Over Youth Drug Abuse
The Federal Government has raised the alarm over the rising trend of drug abuse in Nigeria, particularly among young people.
Speaking at the commemoration of the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking themed, “The evidence is clear: Invest in prevention,” in Abuja on Wednesday, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, said the government has unveiled a national strategy focused on prevention, treatment, and recovery to address the crisis.
She noted that an estimated 14.6 million Nigerians engaged in non-medical use of substances such as cannabis and tramadol, according to the 2018 National Drug Use Survey.
“As a nation, we are alarmed by the growing trend of drug abuse, especially among our youths.
“The 2018 National Drug Use Survey reported that approximately 14.6 million Nigerians had engaged in non-medical use of drugs such as cannabis and tramadol.
“This represents one of the highest rates in West Africa and is a clarion call for coordinated and sustained action.
“It is worthy of note that drug abuse is not just a health issue; it is also a development, security, and human capital issue. Left unaddressed, it erodes the fabric of our communities, fuels violence and criminality, burdens our healthcare systems, and limits our future as a nation,” she said.
To tackle this growing problem, she stated that the ministry, in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the World Health Organisation, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Civil Society Organisations, and implementing partners, is fully committed to implementing evidence-based strategies for drug prevention, treatment, and recovery.
“On that note, we are happy that the Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) intervention has been rolled out and kickstarted as a pilot in one out of four selected states to be cascaded throughout the country in due time.
“We recognise that no single institution can do it alone. Combating drug abuse requires multi-sectoral collaboration — from health and education to law enforcement, community leadership, faith-based organisations, and most importantly, the families who are often the first to notice the signs of addiction,” she noted.
MAT is the use of medication alongside psychological and social support in the treatment of people who are experiencing issues with their drug use.
The Director of Food and Drug Services at the Ministry, Olubunmi Aribeana, noted that the MAT initiative complements other harm reduction strategies, including the needle and syringe programme.
Aribeana, who was represented by Henrietta Bakura-Onyeneke emphasized the importance of shifting toward respectful, non-judgmental approaches that reduce stigma, support rehabilitation, and empower young people and communities to prevent drug addiction.
She added that opioids such as tramadol, codeine, and morphine continue to pose serious public health challenges, while the increasing non-medical use of amphetamines and cannabis demands urgent, coordinated responses.
Aribeana called on MDAs, civil society, and development partners to consider drug abuse as a major threat requiring a united front.
“The Ministry is set to design interventions to help drug users who face stigma and discrimination while promoting language and attitudes that are respectful and non-judgmental while empowering young people and communities to prevent drug use and addiction,” she said.
Aribeana called on MDAs, civil society, and development partners to consider drug abuse a major threat requiring a united front.
The representative of the World Health Organisation, Dr. Alex Gasasira, commended Nigeria’s multi-sectoral approach to addressing drug abuse, including the rollout of MAT and the establishment of 11 model treatment centres.
He highlighted alarming statistics showing a large treatment gap, with only about 10,000 people able to access care annually despite millions needing support, and emphasised the high risk of HIV and hepatitis among people who inject drugs.
“The consequences of drug use have led to health conditions such as drug use disorders, mental health conditions, and other medical comorbidities,” he said.
Gasasira, however, called for increased investment in prevention, expanded treatment access across all states, long-term recovery programs, and data-driven policies to combat the drug crisis effectively.
He urged the government to scale up multi-sectoral public awareness and prevention programmes on drug and substance abuse, ensure access to model drug treatment centres across all states, implement long-term recovery and social reintegration initiatives for drug users, and prioritise evidence-based policymaking through focused research and data use.
In his goodwill message, the chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig. Gen Buba Marwa (retd.) reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to strengthening evidence-based prevention, expanding rehabilitation and reintegration services, and protecting vulnerable populations.
Marwa, who was represented by the Assistant Commander, Narcotics at the agency, Mrs. Etukah Chizoba urged all stakeholders, including government bodies, civil society, traditional institutions, and the media, to act in unison and with urgency.
“As we commemorate this important day, we salute all frontline officers, counsellors, educators, health workers, and community leaders who are working tirelessly to create a drug-free society. Your dedication is the light that guides the path toward recovery, resilience, and hope.
“Together, let us reaffirm our commitment to a healthier, safer, and more secure Nigeria, one where our children and communities are protected from the grip of illicit drugs,” he added.
Punchng.com
The Senate has amended its internal rules that restricted the eligibility of those interested in the Senate presidency to a few.
This is as the new rules indicated that only members of the 10th National Assembly, who returned to the Chamber after the 2027 election, can become principal officers in the 11th assembly.
The decision was reached after a marathon closed-door session that was publicly criticised by Senator Adams Oshiomhole from Edo state.
The Senate has made a major shift to its internal rules as it amended its standing orders to restrict the eligibility of candidates for the office of the Senate President to only members of the 10th National Assembly.
The move came after a marathon closed-door session where the lawmakers agreed on new criteria that prioritise parliamentary hierarchy and experience. Under the revised rules, only senators who have been in the national assembly would be able to contest for principal offices.
According to Channels TV, the new law stated that at least one of the two terms must be the immediate term before the nomination, a move that effectively narrowed the field of contenders.
The amended Order 4 of the Senate reads:
“Nomination of Senators to serve as Presiding Officers shall be in accordance with the ranking of Senators and shall be strictly adhered to.
“This means that only senators currently serving under the Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s leadership of the 10th Assembly who secured their re-election in the 2027 general elections would be able to contest for the Senate presidency and other principal offices.
According to the Senate, the development was intended to strengthen adherence to the tradition of ranking within the Upper legislative chamber
Daily voice.ng earlier reported that Senate President Godswil Akpabio has blamed the insecurity in the country on the upcoming elections, and predicted improvement after the polls.
However, some critics of the claim have challenged Akpabio’s views and highlighted the need for peace ahead of elections.
At the same time, public reactions have revealed mixed feelings on security and Akpabio’s optimistic outlook ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed fresh criminal charges against former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and seven others over alleged fraud and money laundering linked to a ₦10.8 billion CCTV security project in the state.
According to court documents filed at the Federal High Court in Kaduna on April 17, the anti-graft agency brought 11 counts against the former governor and the other defendants under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
A former Kaduna State Commissioner for Information and Chairman of Liberty Television, Alhaji Tijjani Ramalan, disclosed the development in a post on his Facebook page.
Ramalan said El-Rufai and the seven other accused persons would soon face the new charges.
The ICPC alleged that El-Rufai approved the award of an ₦8.68bn CCTV contract in December 2015 to a company it claimed lacked the required competence.
The commission also alleged that several large sums were received and transferred between 2017 and 2022 by individuals and companies linked to the project.
The firms mentioned include Singularity Network Security Limited and other companies allegedly connected to the CCTV security project.
Others named in the case include a former Kaduna State government official, Jimi Lawal; senior executives of IHS Towers; and five companies.
One of El-Rufai’s sons, Bashir El-Rufai, was also mentioned in the allegations but was not listed as a defendant.
The fresh charge is the third set of charges filed by the ICPC against the former governor since March.
El-Rufai is already facing separate corruption-related cases involving other state projects, including a light rail contract and severance payments.
He had denied wrongdoing in earlier court appearances.
Other agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), are also investigating or prosecuting him over separate allegations.
A statement by former President Goodluck Jonathan has been read before the Southwark Crown Court in the United Kingdom in the ongoing trial of Diezani Alison-Madueke.
The statement was presented during proceedings on Tuesday, according to BBC reports.
In the statement, Jonathan said it was not unusual for third parties to make payments on behalf of ministers during official overseas duties.
“Any properly incurred incidental or in-kind assistance from third parties would be recorded and reimbursed where applicable,” the former president was quoted as saying.
He also confirmed that he approved Alison-Madueke’s use of private jets for certain foreign trips.
Alison-Madueke, who served as minister of petroleum resources from 2010 to 2015, is standing trial alongside Olatimbo Ayinde and Doye Agama.
They are facing a five-count charge bordering on accepting bribes but have all pleaded not guilty.
Earlier in the trial, prosecutors accused the former minister of accepting luxury goods and access to high-end properties from individuals seeking favourable treatment in oil contracts.
They alleged that the benefits were provided in exchange for influence within the petroleum sector.
Counsel to Alison-Madueke, Jonathan Laidlaw, told the court that his client had no real influence over the award of oil contracts during her time in office.
Meanwhile, Nigerian businessman Igho Sanomi and Ghanaian businessman Kevin Okyere have denied allegations of bribery.
Their statements, read in court, indicated that payments made on behalf of the former minister were later reimbursed.
Okyere stated that he paid about £3,900 for items purchased by Alison-Madueke in 2014, adding that the money was later refunded in cash.
Sanomi also said items he purchased on behalf of the former minister were reimbursed, insisting that his companies secured contracts through fair competition.
The trial is ongoing, with further proceedings expected as the court continues to examine evidence and witness statements.
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