The Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kwara State, Hajia Fatima Abiola-Popoola, has called for mandatory drug testing for candidates seeking admission into Nigerian universities.
During an interactive session with journalists in Ilorin, the state capital, she urged university management to implement this measure for all newly admitted students.
Abiola-Popoola expressed concern over the rising number of drug users in the country, particularly among women, stating, “This portends great danger for the home and society.”
She cited a 2018 survey, revealing that “14.3 million people were using drugs in Nigeria, with one out of seven persons being a drug user. Alarmingly, one out of four drug users is a woman, which indicates that the society is in trouble. When women, the administrators of the home, start abusing drugs, then the society is truly in peril.”
The NDLEA commander emphasized the critical role of traditional rulers in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse. She remarked, “The success in the fight against drug abuse depends on the support of stakeholders, particularly the traditional institutions. Traditional rulers have significant influence over their people and are closest to the communities. When they speak, their words hold considerable weight, making them essential allies in this battle.”
Abiola-Popoola highlighted the ongoing collaboration with traditional rulers, stating, “We have been engaging traditional rulers for years as part of our mandate. When they take a stand against drug traffickers in their communities, their people follow suit, which is why they are pivotal in this fight,” She stated.
