The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has declared its full support for the ongoing anti-drug campaign by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), pledging to partner efforts aimed at curbing substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking across the country.
The endorsement came on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, when NANS leaders, led by National President, Sola Oladoja, paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
During the visit, the student body reaffirmed its support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, as well as backing his re-election bid in 2027.
Oladoja commended Marwa’s leadership and the agency’s sustained crackdown on drug cartels, particularly highlighting the impact of the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign in sensitising students nationwide.
He noted that NANS’ support for the current administration is driven by what he described as “tangible pro-youth policies,” including the student loan scheme, improved academic stability through reduced industrial actions, and youth empowerment initiatives.
Responding, Marwa expressed appreciation for the students’ solidarity, describing Nigerian students as a vital constituency in national development. He welcomed their endorsement of the Renewed Hope Agenda and commitment to continued collaboration.
“As a critical sector of the Nigerian polity, your appreciation of the gains of the Renewed Hope Agenda and commitment to support its continuity gladdens my heart,” he said.
On the issue of rising drug abuse among youths, the NDLEA boss stressed the need for joint action to sanitise campuses, warning of the far-reaching consequences on students’ health, ambitions, and society.
Marwa also clarified the rationale behind the Federal Government’s drug integrity test policy for students, explaining that the initiative is preventive and not punitive.
According to him, early detection of drug use would enable timely treatment and rehabilitation, thereby safeguarding the future of young Nigerians.
The meeting concluded with both parties agreeing to strengthen collaboration in the ongoing fight against substance abuse in tertiary institutions nationwide.
