The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced notable progress in its ongoing battle against narcotics abuse, particularly through collaboration with sub-national governments.
NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, revealed that several state governments across the country have embraced the agency’s advocacy for mandatory drug tests for political appointees and employees.
Babafemi shared the update on The Morning Brief breakfast program on Channels Television, stating, “This advocacy has been ongoing since 2021. A significant number of state governments have already made it policy that anyone seeking an elective position or appointed to a state government role must undergo drug testing.”
He clarified, however, that this remains an advocacy initiative and not a formal law, noting, “Our role is to encourage various stakeholders to adopt this policy voluntarily.”
Babafemi also highlighted the agency’s efforts to combat the involvement of politicians in drug-related activities, revealing that over the past four years, around 65 drug barons, including former public officeholders, had been arrested, prosecuted, and convicted. “We don’t aim to stigmatize individuals by naming them publicly,” he added, emphasizing that some of the convicted individuals had held offices as local government chairpersons. “As we speak, several high-profile figures are still undergoing prosecution.”
Beyond politics, Babafemi noted that the drug testing policy has been widely adopted by employers and tertiary institutions, with many now incorporating drug screening into their recruitment and admission processes. He explained, “This initiative is not just limited to politics and employment; we are also seeing tertiary institutions, both public and private, making drug tests part of their admission criteria.”
The NDLEA spokesperson expressed optimism that these measures would help reduce the demand for illicit substances among young people. “We are seeing positive results across the country, with institutions taking these policies seriously. It’s encouraging that they are now a part of the screening process for young people entering higher education.”
Babafemi also shared that the NDLEA is pushing for prospective couples to undergo drug testing, with many traditional and religious institutions already supporting the idea. “We believe that drug testing should extend beyond employment and education to include personal relationships, and we are pleased to see growing acceptance of this approach.”
