The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Buba Marwa, has raised serious concern over the growing involvement of young Nigerians in drug-related offences, revealing that more than 60 per cent of those arrested in the last five years are youths.

Marwa disclosed this during the combined 29th and 30th convocation lecture of the University of Abuja, recently renamed Yakubu Gowon University, warning that drug abuse is fast becoming a major threat within academic institutions.

According to him, a total of 77,859 drug offenders were apprehended within the period under review, with the majority being young people, some as young as 15 years old.

He cautioned students and young Nigerians against indulging in substance abuse, stressing that the temporary pleasure derived from drugs often leads to long-term consequences capable of destroying careers and lives.

Marwa noted that the pattern of drug use in Nigeria has evolved beyond traditional substances like cannabis to more dangerous synthetic drugs such as methamphetamine, “Colorado,” and “Loud,” adding that social media platforms are increasingly being used to facilitate drug distribution.

“A criminal record for drug offences is a life sentence on your career before it even begins. You cannot practise law, medicine, or engineering with such convictions,” he warned.

The NDLEA boss further linked drug abuse to rising cases of cultism, campus violence, mental health disorders, and premature deaths among youths, describing the trend as a growing national crisis.

He also cited findings from the 2018 national drug use survey, which showed that drug use is prevalent among Nigerians aged 15 to 64, with many starting as early as 19, while cases involving children below 15 are on the rise.

Marwa added that out of 48,836 drug users who received counselling and treatment in NDLEA facilities over the same period, the overwhelming majority were also youths.

He urged young Nigerians to remain focused and disciplined, warning that peer pressure and the desire to “belong” often push many into destructive habits.

“There is no room for a clouded mind in today’s fast-paced world. If your friends require you to be ‘high’ to belong, then you are in the wrong company,” he said.

Marwa called for a collective response involving families, schools, and institutions to intensify drug education and preventive measures, stressing that the country’s future depends on the productivity and sound minds of its youth population.