In a major boost to Nigeria’s fight against drug abuse, the Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has approved the deployment of corps members with relevant qualifications to the rehabilitation and counselling centres operated by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) across the country.
The development follows a request made by the Chairman of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (rtd), during a courtesy visit by the NYSC leadership to the agency’s headquarters in Abuja. Marwa revealed that the NDLEA currently manages rehab centres in 30 states and is working to establish seven more, with the aim of covering all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The NDLEA boss proposed a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to guide and structure the collaboration between both institutions, stressing that corps members with backgrounds in psychology, social work, and related disciplines would play a critical role in addressing the growing challenge of substance abuse among Nigerians.
Responding to the proposal, Brigadier General Nafiu commended the NDLEA’s efforts and welcomed the idea of a stronger partnership. He noted that while the suggestion to introduce drug integrity testing for prospective corps members was worth considering, such a measure would require a clear policy directive, as the current NYSC Act does not make provision for mandatory testing.
“Until such a directive is officially passed, we will be guided by the law. However, should it become a government policy, the NYSC will comply fully,” Nafiu stated.
The partnership marks a significant step in leveraging Nigeria’s youth corps programme to address pressing national issues, particularly the growing scourge of drug addiction and its impact on the country’s future.