Tackling Substance Abuse among Nigerian Youth: Issues for Legislative Intervention

Abstract

Nigeria, Africa's most resource-rich nation, boasts abundant human and natural assets. Its youth represent one of its greatest strengths, yet substance abuse has surged into a profound public health, social, and economic crisis. This menace affects millions, undermining youth productivity, national security, and economic growth. NDLEA and UNODC data reveal that 14–15 million Nigerians aged 15–64 years use psychoactive substances, with cannabis, opioids, and codeine-based cough syrups most prevalent. Despite government initiatives in enforcement, rehabilitation, and awareness campaigns, substance abuse among youth persists alarmingly, demanding urgent legislative action. In view of this, the following recommendations are proposed: ➢ Establishment of a National Digital Drug Surveillance Framework empowering NDLEA to monitor online drug markets using AI, collaborate with telecom and financial institutions, and implement real-time early-warning systems and strengthen preventive capabilities while embedding data-protection and judicial oversight safeguards. ➢ National Assembly may consider enacting laws that mandate nationwide integration of proven curricula, such as Life Skills Training, into secondary and tertiary institutions, including compulsory drug education and integrity testing to expand the Ministry of Education's 2025 policy for uniform implementation. ➢ Legislators may wish to enact legislation establishing formal collaborations among NDLEA, Ministries of Education, Health, Youth, and police to form joint task forces, for seamless prevention and response coordination on drug abuse.