Remi Tinubu rallies communities to combat teen drug abuse
By Kunle Sanni
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has called for a united, community-driven approach to tackle the growing problem of drug abuse among adolescents across Nigeria.
Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday at a capacity-building workshop for the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum—organised by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)—Tinubu emphasized that the fight against drug abuse cannot be left to government agencies alone.
Represented by Laila Barau, wife of the Deputy Senate President, Tinubu highlighted the need for a collaborative response that combines enforcement, education, family involvement, and long-term interventions.
“The rise in substance abuse among our youth is a challenge that must not be tackled in isolation,” she said. “It is my hope that this workshop, through honest dialogue and the exchange of best practices, will offer insights into prevention, early intervention, and holistic treatment strategies, particularly for marginalized and vulnerable communities.”
She urged participants to apply the knowledge gained at the workshop, working with stakeholders such as the NDLEA, other law enforcement agencies, civil society groups, healthcare providers, educators, and community leaders to develop sustainable solutions.
NDLEA Chairman Buba Marwa also addressed the gathering, sharing recent statistics on the agency’s efforts to curb drug trafficking and abuse. According to Marwa, the NDLEA has arrested 62,595 suspects and seized over 10.3 million kilograms of illegal drugs in the past four years. He added that the agency secured 11,628 convictions and destroyed more than 1,300 hectares of cannabis farms during the same period.
The workshop brought together governors’ spouses from across the country to discuss strategies to strengthen the fight against drug abuse and support affected families and communities.
