NDLEA: 4 in 10 Nigerian Undergraduates Involved in Drug Abuse, Alarming Trend Among Youths

NDLEA: 4 in 10 Nigerian Undergraduates Involved in Drug Abuse, Alarming Trend Among Youths

The Oyo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has raised concerns over the growing rate of drug abuse among Nigerian youths, revealing that four to five out of every ten undergraduates are involved in drug use.

State Commander Olayinke Joe-Fadile made this known during a rally held in Ibadan on Wednesday to mark the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, also known as World Drug Day. The global observance, celebrated every June 26, aims to boost cooperation and action towards creating a drug-free society.

This year’s theme is: “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention, Break the Circle.”

Joe-Fadile said that recent statistics point to a disturbing trend of younger individuals—some as young as nine years old—being introduced to drugs.

“We are intensifying efforts on our campaigns across primary and secondary schools, including tertiary institutions in the state, because the demography of people using drugs is getting lower by the day.

We now can see children from age nine upward taking drugs.

The statistics are also showing us that about four to five out of 10 undergraduates are into drugs,” he said.

He stressed the need for a long-term, collaborative approach to dismantle the cycle of drug abuse and organized crime. This includes addressing root causes, strengthening health systems and investing in education and social services.

According to him, the command recently arrested 150 suspects for drug-related offences and destroyed 11 tons of seized illicit substances.

Joe-Fadile also warned about the devastating health consequences of drug use, which he said can lead to the destruction of internal organs and eventual death.

He assured the public that the agency is relentless in its pursuit of offenders and is ready to bring drug manufacturers, sellers and traffickers to justice.

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“We believe that every day is for the thieves, but one day is for the owner.

NDLEA will soon knock at the doors of drug peddlers to pick them for prosecution and necessary legal trials,” he added.

In a move to strengthen its anti-drug campaign, the NDLEA has inducted several traditional rulers in Oyo State as ambassadors. The agency is also working closely with religious leaders to spread its message using trusted platforms.

Participants at the rally included officers from the Nigerian Army, Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, and members of the National Youth Service Corps.