Nigeria Calls for Tougher Penalties and School‑Based Campaigns in Fight Against Drug Trafficking

Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and media professionals are urging a hard‑line response to drug trafficking and abuse. They propose life imprisonment for major traffickers, the creation of a national “black book” of convicted offenders, and government‑funded rehabilitation centres focused on youths. The proposals also call for broader preventive measures such as routine drug testing in sensitive workplaces and stronger inter‑agency collaboration among the NDLEA, police, customs, DSS and the military.

At the same time, advocates stress that the battle against drug abuse must begin in schools. Recent data shows that more than half of those arrested for drug offences in Nigeria are young people. Expanding the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign into secondary schools is seen as essential for early intervention, awareness and preventing recruitment into criminal activity. Emphasis is placed on integrating drug‑education programmes, parental involvement and creating safe spaces for students to discuss drug‑related pressures.