The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), has called on Nigerians to intensify efforts to counter what he described as a toxic pop culture that glamorises illicit drug use, especially among young people.
Marwa made the call on Thursday in Abuja during the official commissioning of the agency’s radio station, Clean Beat 91.5FM, an initiative designed to strengthen public enlightenment and advocacy under the NDLEA’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign.
He said the station would serve as a platform to challenge harmful narratives around drug use and promote sobriety, recovery stories, and accurate information to the public.
“We recognize that behind every statistic of drug abuse is a human being—a vulnerable teenager seeking escape, a broken family searching for answers, a brilliant mind derailed but capable of redirection,” he said.
“Through this station, we will counter the toxic pop culture that glamorises drug abuse by replacing it with a vibrant alternative culture that celebrates sobriety and provides life-saving information.”
Marwa warned that substance abuse remains a major threat to national development, linking it to insecurity, public health challenges, and economic decline.
“If we do not control the narrative today, the consequences tomorrow will be catastrophic,” he said, adding that prevention and education are as important as enforcement in tackling drug abuse.
He noted that while NDLEA operatives continue to intercept drug shipments and dismantle criminal networks, long-term success depends on reducing demand through awareness and behavioural change.
“While enforcement wins battles, education and prevention win wars. True victory is achieved when we dismantle the demand and conquer the ignorance that leads our children into addiction,” he added.
The NDLEA boss described Clean Beat 91.5FM as a strategic response to the evolving communication landscape, noting that radio remains a powerful tool for reaching communities across urban and rural areas.
He attributed the success of the project to the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), international partners, and NDLEA staff.
Marwa urged Nigerians, particularly young people, to actively engage with the station and become advocates for a drug-free society.
“To all Nigerians, especially our youth: this station is yours. Tune in, engage, and become ambassadors of this movement,” he said.
In their separate goodwill messages, representatives of international and national institutions commended the NDLEA for the initiative.
The United Nations Country Representative, Cheikh Ousmane Touré, represented by Dr. Akanidomo Ibanga, described the project as a strong example of innovative, people-centred drug control efforts that combine enforcement with education and dialogue.
He said the initiative aligns with Nigeria’s National Drug Control Master Plan and reinforces NDLEA’s leadership in promoting a balanced and health-focused approach to drug control.
Similarly, the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Charles Ebuebu, said the establishment of Clean Beat 91.5FM reflects the strategic use of broadcasting for national orientation, behavioural change, and youth engagement.
He stressed that with Nigeria’s large youth population, investing in prevention and awareness is critical to long-term national development.
The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lanre Issa-Onilu, represented by Bala Musa, also commended the initiative, describing it as a valuable platform for promoting positive behavioural change and national reorientation.
