By Gabriel Ameh
— NDLEA Chairman calls graduates “intellectual ambassadors” in war to protect Nigeria’s future
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), has called on Nigerian youths to take the lead in championing the national campaign against drug abuse, describing them as intellectual ambassadors and defenders of the nation’s future.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by Femi Babafemin Director, Media & Advocacy NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja on Tuesday, 28th October 2025
Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, 28th October 2025, at the 2nd Peace Magazine Honour Roll Ceremony, where he was Special Guest of Honour, Marwa congratulated first-class university graduates from across the country for their academic excellence and urged them to channel their brilliance into nation-building and moral leadership.
“Your achievements today are not just academic milestones; they represent the promise of a better Nigeria,” Marwa said. “But that promise can only be fulfilled if you remain steadfast, disciplined, and drug-free. Drug abuse is the biggest saboteur of destiny and the enemy of excellence.”
Drug Abuse: A Threat to Human Capital and National Stability
The NDLEA boss described substance abuse as a clear and present danger to Nigeria’s human capital and collective progress.
“We are witnessing how illicit drugs derail futures, extinguish dreams, and push talented youths into mental instability, crime, and premature death. Drug abuse is not just a social problem; it is a national threat that undermines our future,” he warned.
Marwa urged the graduates to leverage their influence as role models and voices of change within their families, communities, and social circles.
“When you speak, your siblings, friends, and peers listen. Use your success as proof that focus and hard work—not stimulants—lead to excellence. Help us dispel the dangerous myths that drugs enhance creativity or relieve pressure,” he advised.
Call for Collective Action
Encouraging the honourees to become NDLEA Advocates of Excellence and Champions of the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative, Marwa stressed the need for a whole-of-society approach to combating substance abuse.
“While the NDLEA continues to dismantle drug cartels and intercept illicit supplies, every Nigerian must join the campaign to reduce demand through advocacy, education, and positive influence,” he said.
Marwa also commended the organisers of the Peace Magazine Honour Roll for celebrating intellectual distinction, describing the event as “a powerful counter-narrative to the culture of moral decay and misplaced values.”
