State Governments Embrace NDLEA’s Drug Test Advocacy for Appointees – Babafemi

 

Some state governments in Nigeria have embraced the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s (NDLEA) advocacy for mandatory drug tests for political appointees and employees, the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, has said.

Babafemi made this known on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief breakfast programme, monitored by Mega Icon Magazine on Monday.

“It’s an advocacy move and that has been going on since 2021. Quite a number of state governments are already making this a policy in their states to ensure that whoever goes for an elective position or whoever is appointed to the state government undergoes drug tests. That is going on,” he said.

He clarified that while the policy is not legally binding, the agency continues to encourage stakeholders to adopt it voluntarily.

NDLEA’s Crackdown on Drug Barons

Babafemi also revealed that NDLEA has successfully prosecuted several politicians involved in drug-related crimes.

“In the last four years, from our records, about 65 barons, including former public office holders, have been arrested, prosecuted, and convicted, without mentioning anybody’s name to stigmatise them,” he stated.

According to him, some of those prosecuted had held local government chairmanship positions, while several high-profile individuals are still undergoing trial.

Drug Testing Expands to Employers, Schools, and Marriage

The NDLEA’s advocacy has gained traction beyond politics, as employers and tertiary institutions are incorporating drug tests into their admission and recruitment processes.

“This is going on not only at the level of politics or those seeking employment but also at the level of our young ones—those going into tertiary institutions—to ensure that they also undergo this test,” Babafemi explained.

Furthermore, the agency is advocating for mandatory drug tests for prospective couples, with traditional and religious institutions beginning to adopt the initiative.

With the NDLEA’s continued push under the leadership of Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), Babafemi expressed optimism that more sectors would implement drug testing as a tool to curb illicit substance abuse across Nigeria.