Nigeria’s youths have been urged to embrace skills acquisition and empowerment programmes as a way to avoid substance abuse and other social vices.

The call was made by the Chairman and Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd), at the launch of a youth empowerment and skills acquisition programme in Abuja.

The programme was organised by Grassroots Bridge Builders, a non-governmental organisation, and held on Thursday, 5 February 2026.

‘Not charity, but future protection’

Marwa said the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises youth empowerment, job creation, and social inclusion.

“Training and empowering 10,000 young Nigerians through practical skills is not just an NGO activity; it is direct support to government efforts, complementing national programmes aimed at reducing unemployment, poverty, drug abuse, and general crimes,” he said.

He added that,

“initiatives such as this one by Grassroots Bridge Builders deserve national applause.”

According to the NDLEA chairman, youth empowerment is a long-term strategy for crime prevention.

“What this organization is doing today is not charity; it is capacity building, character development, future protection, and prevention from drug abuse and its attendant consequences on our youth and the larger society.”

A shared responsibility

Marwa stressed that government alone cannot tackle drug abuse and youth-related crimes.

“The fight against drug abuse and associated crimes is everybody’s business.”

He called on non-governmental organisations, civil society groups, faith-based institutions, community leaders, and the private sector to replicate similar initiatives nationwide.

The NDLEA chief also encouraged collaboration with his agency to design programmes that give young people skills, dignity, and purpose.

“Prevention works best when communities, organizations, and government collaborate,” he said.

Message to young Nigerians

Addressing beneficiaries of the programme, Marwa described youths as assets rather than liabilities.

“You are not a problem to be managed; you are a solution to be empowered.”

He added:

“Your talents, creativity, and resilience are needed to build a stronger, safer, and more prosperous Nigeria. Embrace opportunities such as this, stay away from drugs, and invest in yourselves and the country.”

What’s next

He congratulated Grassroots Bridge Builders for what he described as a sustainable approach to securing Nigeria’s future and pledged NDLEA’s support for all genuine, non-partisan initiatives promoting youth development and drug-free communities

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, is set to witness the weddings of nine of his children on the same day in Abuja.

The development became public after a single wedding invitation card, listing all nine couples, began circulating widely on social media.

What we know so far

According to details on the invitation, the ceremonies will take place at the Central Mosque, Abuja, at 1:30pm on 6 February.

The minister’s children listed on the card include five sons and four daughters, all scheduled to wed on the same day.

Their spouses are also said to be from prominent families, as indicated on the invitation.

Preparations for the ceremonies are understood to be at an advanced stage, though no official statement has been issued by the minister or his office.

Why it matters

Mass weddings within politically prominent families are rare in Nigeria and often attract public interest because of their cultural, social, and security implications.

Such events also highlight the continued intersection of public office, private life, and public curiosity in Nigerian politics.

Public reaction

The invitation card has generated mixed reactions online, with many Nigerians expressing surprise at the scale of the ceremonies.

While some users congratulated the families involved, others questioned the logistics and security arrangements for hosting multiple high-profile weddings on the same day.

Official position

As of the time of reporting, there has been no confirmation or comment from the Ministry of Defence or from Bello Matawalle himself regarding the ceremonies.

What’s next

Attention is expected to remain on Abuja as the wedding date approaches, especially regarding security, traffic control, and official attendance.

Observers say further clarity may emerge if the minister’s office issues a formal statement ahead of the ceremonies.

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, has assured the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) of his support and collaboration in the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.

The traditional ruler gave the assurance during a courtesy visit to the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd), at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja on Friday, 12 December 2025.

The Alaafin led a delegation of royal fathers, including the Oloro of Oro, Oba Joel Olaniyan Olatoye, and the Olusin of Ijara Isin, Oba Ademola Julius Ajibola, to the meeting.

He said he was proud of Marwa’s public service record and described his leadership journey as worthy of recognition across Yorubaland.

“To be kind with you, we are proud of you. Your being in this position at the moment is not just by chance, it’s because of your devotion, your commitment. You have this amiable character. That’s why you are able to govern Borno and Lagos State, and you have always been a performer. Another thing which I can’t forget about you is the legacy of Keke Marwa that you brought to Nigeria.”

Why It Matters

Nigeria is grappling with rising cases of drug abuse, particularly among young people, a trend authorities say is fuelling crime, insecurity, and social breakdown.

The NDLEA believes traditional rulers—who wield influence at the community level—can play a critical role in prevention, intelligence gathering, and advocacy.

Responding to Marwa’s call for traditional institutions to join the anti-drug campaign, the Alaafin pledged to mobilise his peers across the country.

“I’ve heard your message and the same thing with some of my colleagues here and some of my other traditional rulers, we are ready to collaborate with you. I have to tell you, we are at the grassroots, we are close to the community people. We know a lot about what’s going on.”

“So, I’m using this opportunity to tell you that we are ready. We are more than ready to work with you and to give you all the necessary support to make sure that you are successful in this job.”

“We can tell you that anytime you are in need of us, we will always be there for you.”

NDLEA: Drug Use at ‘Unacceptable Levels’

In his remarks, Marwa congratulated the Alaafin on his ascension to the throne and urged traditional rulers nationwide to use their influence to combat drug abuse.

He warned that the scale of drug use in Nigeria had reached alarming levels.

“The drug scourge in Nigeria is at an unacceptable limit and from the drug use survey report of 2018, we find that close to 15 million Nigerians aged 15 to 64 use drugs. It’s a big problem.”

Marwa said the NDLEA’s renewed mandate, backed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, includes arresting drug traffickers, prosecuting offenders, and confiscating illicit assets.

“We have been mandated by President Tinubu, to stand up, fight the drug scourge, arrest those responsible, prosecute them and seize their assets, the traffickers.”

Why Traditional Rulers Matter

Marwa stressed that traditional institutions remain deeply respected across Nigeria and can influence behaviour at the local level more effectively than formal authorities alone.

“Nigerians respect the traditional institutions. Whoever you are in Nigeria, you still come from somewhere. And when you go back to that place, you pay homage to whoever is the leader of the community.”

“And so when the traditional leader speaks, it carries weight.”

He also urged traditional rulers to work closely with religious leaders to amplify anti-drug messaging in churches and mosques.

“We plead for traditional leaders to also engage the religious leaders in charge of churches and mosques in their domains, they should do serious advocacy against the use of drugs.”

“The NDLEA is always prepared to work with the traditional institution.”

Security and Community Impact

Marwa said collaboration with traditional rulers would also help the agency obtain intelligence on drug dealers operating in local communities.

“We really appreciate this collaboration and I know for a fact that if we are able to control drug use, even the criminalities will come down.”

He linked drug abuse to violent crimes and insecurity across the country.

“All the people that are kidnappers and the insurgents, terrorists, bandits everywhere, they use drugs first to charge themselves up, to make them high.”

What’s Next

The NDLEA says it plans to deepen engagement with traditional and religious institutions nationwide as part of a broader strategy focused on prevention, enforcement, and community intelligence.

Marwa thanked the Alaafin for the visit and wished him a peaceful and prosperous reign in Oyo Kingdom.