Nigeria

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

A recent analysis of how medical professionals are spread across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has uncovered some striking differences in the number of doctors available to meet the needs of the country’s growing population.

Leading the pack is Lagos, the nation’s bustling commercial center, boasting an impressive 7,385 doctors. Following closely is the FCT with 4,453 doctors, and then Rivers, which has 2,194 doctors.

Other notable states include Enugu with 2,070 doctors, Oyo with 1,996, and Edo with 1,777, all of which highlight the correlation between urbanization and the demand for healthcare services.

These areas tend to attract more healthcare workers, drawn by the opportunities in metropolitan settings.

However, the report also sheds light on a troubling disparity in healthcare professional availability across different states.

While southern and southwestern states generally enjoy a better doctor-to-population ratio, the northern and northeastern regions are facing a significant shortage of medical personnel.

Taraba, situated in northeastern Nigeria, has the fewest doctors, with only 201, which raises serious concerns about the challenges of providing adequate healthcare in that area.

Other states like Yobe (275 doctors), Adamawa (280 doctors), and Kebbi (273 doctors) further illustrate how the distribution of medical staff is heavily tilted towards more urbanized and economically prosperous regions.

Among the states with lower doctor counts, Zamfara (267 doctors), Jigawa (255 doctors), and Gombe (485 doctors) also highlight a significant gap in healthcare access.

This uneven distribution means that many areas in Nigeria, especially in the north and rural regions, are struggling to deliver quality healthcare services to their communities.

In contrast, southern states like Akwa Ibom (888 doctors) and Abia (829 doctors) show a more favorable situation, underscoring the ongoing challenges in achieving equitable healthcare access across the country.

By Ibrahim Sulaiman (Jama’are)

In circa 1993, my late maternal grandfather, Malam Musa Nagari (d. circa 2017), took me to Malam Idi Nakamaku’s Makarantar allo (a traditional Quranic school) in the Gandun Sarki quarters of Jama’are town, where I was enrolled as a Titibiri (an elementary student). He purchased a new allo (a wooden slate used as a hand-held writing board by students) for me, which I guessed he bought from the Jama’are weekly market. 

Even though they weren’t the same age, I realized that Allaramma Malam Idi and my Malam Musa Nagari were good friends. 

I was already enrolled in Abdulkadir Ahmed Primary School (formerly known as Zango Kanti Primary School). I usually attend the afternoon session at Malam Idi’s school alone with his regular Almajirai (students), most of whom come from nearby and distant towns and villages around Jama’are. 

That was a foundational journey I first had in Islamic studies. 

Sometimes, my maternal grandfather, Malam Musa Nagari, would lead me to school, hand me over to Allaramma, and jokingly say, ‘Ga dalibinka, Dan Izala’ (here is your student, member of Izala). This is because my father had already been a member of Izala (JIBWIS) since the early 1980s. (For an exploration of this statement and the struggle for religious space between Izala and other Sufi groups in Jama’are, see my MA thesis, ‘A History of JIBWIS/Izala in Jama’are, 1986-2015,’ submitted to the Department of History at Bayero University Kano in 2022.)

That was the start of it. Since then, whenever Malam sees me or I pass by him, he calls out, ‘babban dalibi’ (a senior student), even though I stopped attending his school when I was at the Titibiri level. True to form, he asks, ‘ya karatu’ (how’s studies), now referring to conventional education, and concludes with, ‘Allah ya yi albarka’ (may God bless).

As Malam is no longer with us, I will miss his prayers. Whenever I’m in Jama’are, I can hardly pass by Malam without stopping to greet him, and he has always been generous with his usual prayers.

Malam Musa Nagari and Malam Nakamaku have been a school for me. They have been a veritable source of inspiration. 

Malam Nagari, though a grandfather, was a no-nonsense type. We rarely exchanged banter, unlike typical grandparents in a Hausa/Fulani setting like Jama’are. He was a disciplinarian in the real sense of the word. Although we spent a lot of time together at home, on the farm, and in his vocation of building houses, that familiarity did not breach any contempt, as they say. Malam Musa Nagari once told me something I knew was intended to inspire me. ‘Ibrahim, let me tell you. Do you see my farms in their numbers? I only inherited one from my parents…’. This is a way of telling a teenager to ‘be hardworking’!

From Malam Idi Nakamaku, I learned the principle of goodwill. Even though I left his school to probably join Izala Islamiyya, Malam Idi has never stopped considering me his student, referring to me with the term baban dalibi. This has never been a source of concern for him; he simply wants to know how I’m progressing, even at the conventional school level. Malam never ceases to ask such questions; the last time we met was last year during Eid el-Kabir. 

To me, Malam Idi Nakamaku’s life epitomized an enduring commitment to promoting Quranic studies (what a blessed life!). It symbolizes selflessness and service to humanity, along with complete submission to the will of God. I believe Malam Idi Nakamaku embodies the traditional classical eclectic ascetic lifestyle characterized by Zuhd (asceticism or self-denial to achieve Ridhal Allah, meaning God’s pleasure) of early Sufi scholars, which continues to endure into this century.

The demise of Allaramma Malam Idi Nakamaku on March 4, 2025, was a great loss and, indeed, irreparable to the entire Jama’are Emirate. May his soul, along with that of his good friend Malam Musa Nagari, continue to rest in Janna til Firdaus.

Ibrahim Sulaiman (Jama’are) wrote from Abuja via ibrahimsulaiman193@gmail.com.

By Uzair Adam

The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has assured corps members that the new monthly allowance of N77,000 will take effect starting in March 2025.

He gave the assurance during an interactive session with corps members at the Wuse and Garki NYSC Zonal Offices in Abuja, reaffirming the commitment of both the NYSC and the Federal Government to their welfare.

The development follows months of anticipation after the NYSC announced an increase in the allowance from N33,000 to N77,000, in line with the new minimum wage of N70,000 approved by President Bola Tinubu in July 2024.

The last increment was in 2019 when the allowance was raised to N33,000 after a review of the minimum wage to N30,000.

According to a statement signed by the Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, the approval for the new allowance was conveyed in a letter from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, dated September 25, 2024, and signed by its Chairman, Mr. Ekpo Nta.

Brigadier General Nafiu emphasized that the well-being of corps members remains a priority, urging them to remain calm, dedicated, and disciplined in their service to the nation.

“With effect from March, you are going to receive the sum of Seventy-Seven Thousand Naira as your monthly allowance. NYSC is good at record-keeping, and I can assure you that your money will be paid. The nation and the Scheme appreciate you,” he stated.

He also praised the vision of NYSC’s founding fathers, describing the scheme as a vital institution fostering national unity by exposing graduates to diverse cultures across Nigeria.

He assured corps members that NYSC management would continue to instill values such as patriotism, discipline, leadership, and teamwork.

Speaking on behalf of her colleagues at the Garki Zone, Corps Member Zaka Deborah Alheri (FC/24A/5831) expressed gratitude to the Director General for his commitment to ensuring the timely payment of their increased allowance.

By Abdulhamid Abdullahi Aliyu

A wave of emotions swept through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Tuesday, March 4, as 144 stranded Nigerians returned home from Libya. Some wept as they stepped onto Nigerian soil, clutching their few belongings, while others sighed in relief after months of hardship in the North African country.

The returnees—mostly women and children—arrived aboard a chartered Boeing aircraft at exactly 4:45 p.m. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) facilitated their homecoming in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and other key stakeholders. Officials swiftly processed them, ensuring they underwent the necessary procedures for reintegration into society.

Among the returnees were 100 women, 8 men, 26 children, and 10 infants—individuals who had left Nigeria seeking a better future, only to find themselves ensnared in a nightmare. Libya, once viewed as a gateway to Europe, has become a dangerous trap for migrants. Many face forced labor, sexual exploitation, kidnappings, and inhumane detentions, with little hope of escape.

NEMA and its partners have worked tirelessly for years to bring stranded Nigerians home. At the airport, officials from the Nigeria Immigration Service, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), the Department of State Services (DSS), Port Health Services, and the Nigeria Police Force were on the ground to facilitate their return. The returnees underwent biometric registration, medical screening, and psychological counseling before being transported to the Igando IDPs Resettlement Center for reintegration programs.

Yet, for many, homecoming is bittersweet. Aisha, 27, left Nigeria two years ago with dreams of a better life. Instead, she found herself trapped in Libya, forced to work under exploitative conditions just to survive. Holding her two-year-old son close, she said, “I don’t know where to start. I sold everything to travel. Now, I’m back with nothing.”

To help returnees like Aisha, the IOM, in partnership with NEMA and other agencies, provides reintegration support, including vocational training, business grants, and psychosocial counseling. These programs are essential in helping them rebuild their lives and find new opportunities at home.

This latest evacuation is part of an ongoing effort to rescue Nigerians from Libya’s brutal realities. Over the years, thousands have been repatriated, yet the cycle of irregular migration persists. Despite continuous awareness campaigns, human traffickers still lure young Nigerians with false promises of a better life abroad.

Experts argue that while evacuation efforts are commendable, the real solution lies in addressing the root causes of migration—unemployment, poverty, and lack of opportunities. Without viable alternatives at home, many will continue to take desperate risks.

Relief and uncertainty filled the air as the returnees settled into the temporary resettlement center. Some saw their return not as a failure but as a second chance. “I just want to find a way to care for my son,” Aisha said. “I don’t regret coming back. At least I am alive.”

The mission of NEMA and its partners is clear: to help returnees rebuild their lives. But for Nigeria, the bigger challenge remains—creating a future where its youth no longer feel compelled to risk everything for an uncertain journey abroad.

Abdulhamid Abdullahi Aliyu—an NYSC serving corps member, writes from the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC) in Abuja.

By Shamsi Ubale Jibril

State of emergency mainly entails the suspension of normal law and order procedures and the introduction of strict controls of the population, usually involving armed forces, so that a crisis or some other factors out of the ordinary can be contained.

Ignoring variations in nomenclature, nations are empowered either by their constitutions or some other national legislations to declare state of emergency when the country or any part thereof is at war, there is breakdown of public order, imminent fear of breakdown of law and order, occurrence or imminent danger of natural disaster or some other danger which clearly constitute a threat to the existence of the Federation.

The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), as well as its predecessors have clearly laid down the conditions under which state of emergency can be declared, as well as the detailed procedure of the declaration.

By Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, the President may by instrument published in the official Gazette of the Government of the Federation issue a proclamation of a state of emergency in the Federation or any part thereof, subject to 2/3 majority resolution of the senate and House of Representatives approving such measures.

The President is empowered to make such declaration where:

a.the Federation is at war;

b.the Federation is in imminent danger of invasion or involvement in a state of war;

c.there is actual breakdown of public order and public safety in the Federation or any part thereof to such extent as to require extraordinary measures to restore peace and security;

d. there is a clear and present danger of an actual breakdown of public order and public safety in the Federation or any part thereof requiring extraordinary measures to avert such danger;

e.there is an occurrence or imminent danger, or the occurrence of any disaster or natural calamity, affecting the community or a section of the community in the Federation;

f. there is any other public danger which clearly constitutes a threat to the existence of the Federation; or

g.the President receives a request to do so in accordance with the provisions of subsection (4) of this section.

The determination of the existence of any of the above circumstances is left to the President to decide, and he may not face any form of restriction in making the declaration. The only possible limitation is where the National Assembly refuses to approve of the declaration, which is quite inlikely under the current settings.

However, none of the Nigerian Constitutions state the extent of the powers of the Federal Government in administering the affected constituent part (State or Region).

Prior to 2011, the Federal Government after declaring state of emergency, went ahead to displace state government institutions/functionaries of the affected state/region. In 1962, Dr Majekudomi was appointed administrator in the Western Region, while during the President Obasanjo era, General Chris Ali and Tunji Olurin were appointed administrators of Plateau and Ekiti States respectively.

However, in 2011 and 2014 when President Goodluck Jonathan declared state of emergency in some parts of the federation, he departed from this precedent and retained the State Governors and Houses of Assembly. This was criticized as not being far reaching enough.

An opportunity to resolve the dispute as to whether the President could replace state functionaries during state of emergency arose in the Supreme Court in the case of Plateau State of Nigeria & Ano v Attorney General of the Federation (2006) NWLR pt 968 p. 346, but the court avoided pronouncement on this live issue on technical g round.

There is therefore a huge gap on the extent of the powers of the President during period of state of emergency. With its chequared history on state of emergency implementation, the USA passed the National Emergency Act 1976, which clearly provide in detail, how the President could implement State of Emergency.

Nobody is in doubt as to the extent of the President’s power during state of emergency in USA.On the 18th March, 2025, the President of the federal Republic of Nigeria declared a state of emergency in Rivers State suspending the Governor of the State, the Deputy Governor and the State House of Assembly for an initial period of 6 months.

There is no doubt that the President has the power to declare a state of emergency in Rivers state if any of the conditions highlighted above exists. However, in the exercise of this declaration, does the President have the power to suspend a democratically elected governor, deputy governor and a whole house od assembly of a state and replace them with a sole administrator appointed by the President?

It should not be forgotten that section 1 (2) of the Constitution provides:The Federal Republic of Nigeria shall not be governed, nor shall any persons or group of persons take control of the Government of Nigeria or any part thereof, except in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.In the absence of clear provisions of the Constitution validating the suspensions and how the state can be democratically governed within this period, I am of the firm view that this declaration can challenged in court, and be set aside.

This will put to rest the profound uncertainty in the import and effects of declaration of state of emergency under Nigerian law, and to obviate the tendency using such declaration to score a political goal, no matter how obscure.

Shamsi Ubale Jibril can be reached via danjaji2020@yahoo.com.

By Uzair Adam

A devastating fire outbreak struck Kwalema Small Scale Rubber Recycling Industries in Dakata, Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano State in the early hours of Wednesday, reducing over 200 factories to ashes.

Our reporter, who visited the scene, observed extensive damages and financial losses amounting to millions of naira.

A scene of the incident

Fortunately, no lives were lost in the incident, which occurred at about 6:00 a.m.

The chairman of the industries, Alhaji Aminu Abubakar, confirmed that all the factories in Sections B and C of the market were completely destroyed, leaving behind only wreckage, including recycling and crushing machines.

Abubakar stated that the cause of the fire remained unknown but suspected an electrical fault or spark.

He explained that the fire started from one factory in Section B before spreading rapidly to Section C, consuming everything in its path.

“I watched helplessly as my factory burned” – Chairman

Recounting his ordeal, Abubakar lamented the loss of millions of naira, saying he watched in despair as the fire reached his own factory and razed it to the ground.

“The fire was so intense that it couldn’t be controlled by factory workers alone. Even the fire service, located about 1.5 to 2 kilometers away, arrived late,” he said.

“When they eventually came, they didn’t have enough water to extinguish the flames. That’s how my factory and many others were reduced to ashes while I watched helplessly.”

Eyewitnesses describe the fire’s rapid spread

Workers at the industry narrated how the fire started in a factory in Section B, located in the northern part of the market.

They stated that despite their efforts to put it out, the fire resisted and spread to neighboring factories.

As the situation worsened, they called for the intervention of the fire service. However, the chairman noted that by the time he arrived at the scene, the fire service had yet to respond.

“When they finally arrived, they still didn’t have sufficient water to contain the fire. It continued to spread until it reached our section and burned down factories, including mine and those of my neighbors,” he added.

Victims count their losses

One of the victims, Alhaji Ahmed Ya’u, stood motionless in front of his destroyed factory, sweating and in shock over the loss.

“Just yesterday, I bought recycling materials worth six million naira. I also had a recycling contract worth four million naira. In total, over ten million naira worth of materials and equipment have been lost,” he said.

Despite the devastating loss, Ya’u expressed his faith, saying, “I take this as a test from the Almighty God. He gave me the wealth, and He has taken it away. I pray He compensates me.”

Another victim, Abdulkadir Muhammad Aliyu, described the experience as horrific, but said he considered it to be test.

He was quoted as saying, “I was at home when I received a call about the fire around 6:00 a.m. Upon arriving, I found my factory among those destroyed.

“By Allah, I cannot even estimate the millions of naira lost, including materials belonging to clients,” he said, adding, “However, as a believer, I accept this as a test and seek comfort in Allah,” he added.

Police confirm incident, call for caution

The Kano State Police Command confirmed the fire outbreak and sympathized with the victims, thanking God that no lives were lost.

The state Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, through the command’s spokesperson, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, said officers had been deployed to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the damage.

“No lives were lost, but properties worth millions of naira were destroyed,” he said, adding that an investigation had been launched. He also urged the public to exercise caution to prevent future fire outbreaks.

Efforts to get a response from the fire service spokesperson, Saminu Yusuf, proved abortive as of the time of filing this report.

By Sa’adatu Aliyu 

Nigeria’s legislative chamber is an embarrassment, with lawmakers handling important matters like a bunch of drunks in a bar. These are the individuals determining our fate, appearing anything but serious. Watching them feels like being strapped to a chair and forced to watch a tedious comedy. It’s a complete nightmare.

Moreover, seeing Senator Natasha walking out of the Senate was disturbing, highlighting the reality of injustice and the flawed Nigerian system that perpetuates sexism and denies women their freedom. The penalty imposed on her is nothing more than a testament to bullying.

As men dominate the floor, as they do in other male-dominated spheres, true justice appears elusive. Most of these men, who see sexism as a normal part of women’s lives, felt it appropriate to gang up against Senator Natasha. This mindset is all too prevalent among African men, who often excel at trivializing sexism. In simple terms, this is a case of toxic patriarchy reinforced—something many women have been tirelessly fighting against for years.

As a literature student who has studied the origins of feminist movements, I’m aware of the struggles women face. However, this issue goes beyond feminism; it’s about truth.

With that in mind, we all know the incident began after Senator Natasha made several claims about being sidelined by the Senate President. She was constantly ignored whenever she attempted to raise a motion concerning the development of Ajakota steel mines. Behind the Senate President’s actions, however, was a backstory. Months ago, a nightclub comment sparked widespread condemnation. After enduring so much, Senator Natasha eventually erupted, leading to the escalation of the issue and further allegedly accusing the President of a history of sexual harassment.

On Natasha’s Outfit 

The Lafaya, as it is referred to in northern Nigeria, is primarily worn by Muslim women and is considered quite decent attire, often worn at traditional events like wedding ceremonies by brides and occasionally during horse-riding festivals. It’s important to remember that Natasha is a Christian woman who has chosen to wear an outfit that not only fits her well but is also attractive and appropriately modest. Yet, the Senate President claims that her chosen fashion is transparent and offensive to his view.

If this is true, how could Natasha make it through the Senate gates if her attire was indeed so exposing and provocative? I believe the Senate has a dress code, and if her Excellency was violating it, she wouldn’t have been allowed to pass through the Senate gate.

But because, clearly, there’s nothing inappropriate about her way of dressing—which is quite respectable for a Christian woman, by the way—it renders the Senate President’s claims unfounded and disrespectful. Instead of focusing on significant issues, he gets distracted by a Senator’s wardrobe choices. It’s ridiculous.

Women as Enablers of Toxic Patriarchal Abuse

Women, particularly those from our mothers’ generation, especially African women, have been indoctrinated into a dangerous culture of acceptance that enables them to tolerate the excesses of men in society and even defend them. This includes women who attempt to justify a man’s sexual misconduct or other behavioral missteps. As a result, a daughter trapped in a bad marriage, where she is a victim of domestic violence, is often advised to endure her situation.

A daughter who’s a rape victim is not just blamed but is asked to never speak of the issue. She is the victim yet bears the shame. “It’s a wrong committed by men. There’s nothing we can do.” That’s what young girls have been taught. And because of this, many women have to live with abusive men, continuing to endure abuse on many fronts because suffering is equated with righteousness. For these women, silence is bravery, and speech is cowardly.

Moreover, among other things, those women who come out to dismiss the allegations leveled against the Senate President unapologetically belong to this school. Another likely reason to smear Natasha’s claims as false and unfounded is the threat she poses to them – women who may be envious of her based on her physical appearance and youthful beauty.

Women are known to size each other up and hold grudges against those they believe possess qualities they lack, and one thing the senator has is beauty. Just based on that, the other women may feel threatened. Therefore, supporting her is out of the question. Yet, this does not surprise me—the silence of the women who were supposed to stand with her; women are often seen as their own worst enemies.

However, while her suspension might appear as a defeat, I commend Senator Natasha for her stoic bravery and refusal to be silenced in the face of injustice. Regardless of the outcome of this case, she has triumphed because she spoke up. Natasha has refused to be that meek daughter, that “good daughter.” She has defied expectations and rejects being labeled as “Mama endurance” in the face of harassment.

And while some women may be saying, “She should have just kept quiet; look where this has landed her,” I want to tell them that it’s better to be in this position, knowing you advocated for yourself and can walk away, than to remain silent in an environment that continues to torment you.

It’s daughters like these that we want to raise – daughters who can look into the eye of injustice and say no, not again. Natasha spoke truth to authority; she fought back. And people may see her action as inappropriate, but we forget that her outburst is as a result of accumulated frustration. She’s the true daughter of “Ane Ebira,” who refused to go mum.

As a member of the same tribe as Her Excellency, Senator Akpoti, I can confidently say that the Ebira people are renowned for their bravery and steadfast fearlessness when faced with provocation. It is not our nature to instigate conflict, but we are never hesitant to confront challenges if it means defending ourselves. We are recognized for standing up for our truth. You cannot bully an Ebira man or woman without them pushing back. “I’m not afraid of you” stems from a legacy of fearless ancestors who never backed down from a fight.

Sa’adatu Aliyu works at DLC Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. She can be contacted at saadatualiyu36@gmail.com. 

By Anwar Usman

President Bola Tinubu has suspended the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu for six months.

The president stated this while addressing the country on the current political crisis in the state.

The president was quoted saying “By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months,” he said in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday.

Details later…

By Uzair Adam 

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revoked the land allocated for the new National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja’s Central Business District.  

The Daily Reality reports that the 12-story building, which has remained uncompleted for two decades, was initially estimated to cost N16 billion when construction began in 2008. 

Despite raising over N62 billion through fundraisers and electoral activities, the project remains unfinished.  

A letter confirming the revocation, signed by the Director of Land Administration, Chijoke Nwankwoeze, on behalf of the minister, was addressed to the PDP National Chairman. 

Dated March 13, 2025, the letter cited the party’s failure to pay annual ground rents for 20 years—spanning from January 1, 2006, to January 1, 2025—as the reason for the decision.  

The letter referenced several public notices issued by the FCT Administration since 2023, urging allottees to clear outstanding dues on their properties. 

It also cited Section 28, Subsection 5 (a) and (b) of the Land Use Act, which grants the government the authority to revoke land over breaches of the terms of occupancy.  

With the revocation now in effect, the land has reverted to the FCT Administration, which plans to take immediate possession. As of the time of filing this report, PDP had yet to issue an official response.

By As-sayyidul Arafat Abdulrazaq 

The War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) in Nigeria, led by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), is a vigorous effort to combat a problem that has been undermining the country’s social fabric. Launched on June 26, 2021, under the Buhari administration, it focuses not only on apprehending drug dealers—although there is a significant emphasis on that—but also on a comprehensive strategy to reduce both the supply and demand for illicit drugs through enforcement, education, and community action.

Nigeria’s drug problem is severe. Cannabis, codeine, tramadol, and methamphetamine (locally known as “ice” or “mkpuru mmiri”) are widespread, particularly among young people. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), cannabis leads the list, followed by opioids and cough syrups containing codeine. This is not merely a health crisis; it also fuels crime, cultism, and insurgency, as groups like Boko Haram are reportedly financing their operations through drug trafficking.

WADA’s strategy divides into two lanes. On the supply side, the NDLEA’s Offensive Action, which began in January 2021, has been relentless. Under Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa’s leadership, the agency has achieved significant victories: over 57,792 arrests, 10,572 convictions, and more than 10 million kilograms of drugs seized since he took charge. 

The demand side is where WADA’s heart is on the demand side: prevention through awareness. They’ve rolled out sensitization campaigns in schools, mosques, churches, markets, and workplaces nationwide and given lectures at places like Maku Grammar School in Oyo or Jama’atu Islamiyya in Kogi State.

How did they do it? Through grassroots hustle and smart partnerships. NDLEA’s 36 state commands collaborated with local leaders, traditional rulers, youth groups, and the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) to host talks and rallies. The “Save Our Families” campaign in 2024 distributed drug test kits to parents to prevent the drug abuse crisis from affecting homes.

The results are clear. By mid-2024, over 13,000 people will have received counseling or rehab, a significant increase from just 599 in 2020, with 8,129 individuals receiving assistance last year alone, according to LEADERSHIP on February 25. This reflects individuals choosing change because they’ve heard the message. In Imo State, after a talk in 2024 at Owerri-Aba Primary, teachers began to look for warning signs. 

In Kaduna State, a February 24 event prompted residents to pledge for drug-free neighborhoods, resulting in a significant increase in calls to NDLEA’s helpline by early 2025. In Kano, where Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa highlighted 1.07 millionusers during the launch of a sensitization campaign against drug abuse, domestic violence, and the illicit drug trade organized by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Kaduna, Marwa discussed Almajiri children, aiming to reduce the number of young people that dealers can target, which could decrease crimes such as gang fights and theft.

This year, WADA’s sensitization efforts are making a significant impact in schools and communities. Lectures were held at the Federal Cooperative College in Ibadan on February 20, warning students about the dangers of drugs. Additionally, there is an ongoing initiative in the FCT with new area commands in Kwali and Kuje aimed at spreading the message further. They are maintaining the momentum from 2024, during which they reached over 1.8 million people alone.

But it is not all solved. Drugs still flow, and poverty keeps some trapped. However, with over 10 million kilos seized,including 25 tons destroyed in Kogi this week, the NDLEA combines this effort with outreach to make a difference. WADA’s success lies not only in the drugs they intercept; it’s also in the minds they influence. This fight demonstrates that Nigeria can push back step by step, with a plan that is working.

Looking ahead, the NDLEA could strengthen its capabilities by adopting modern technology. Currently, the NDLEA relies significantly on human intelligence and physical operations. Their officers, including the elite Strike Force established in 2021, carry out raids, patrols, and manual inspections at airports, seaports, borders, and highways. However, these efforts, while effective, are basic compared to what will be available in 2025. 

Traffickers are adapting by hiding drugs in compressors, duvets, and even soap bars, as seen in recent busts. Drones, for instance, are not widely mentioned in their operations, yet they could scour remote cannabis farms or stash points along the border. Digital tracking, AI, and data analytics to map online drug deals or shipping patterns seem to be underutilized.

As-Sayyidul Arafat Abdulrazaq is a Corp member at the Center for Crisis Communication and can be reached at as.sayyid21@gmail.com.