Why Jigawa’s Executive Order Could Transform Fight Against Drug Abuse

Drug abuse is one of the contemporary challenges that poses a lethal threat to public health, security, low productivity, moral decadence, and the future of the younger generation. Collectively, these factors can drift society toward total collapse.

The rise in drug abuse among Nigeria’s teeming youth has also become a source of grave concern, a matter that requires strong policy frameworks, participatory mechanisms, political will, and unwavering commitment to tackle.

According to the 2019 National Drug Use Survey, supported by the Federal Government, the UNODC, and relevant national agencies, Nigeria recorded approximately 14.3 million drug users among persons aged 15 to 64, representing 14.4 per cent of that age group. This statistic is alarming to any father, leader, or patriotic member of society.

Irked by this ugly and devilish trend, the Executive Governor of Jigawa State, His Excellency Malam Umar Namadi, initiated and signed an executive order to provide a framework for an all-out, all-participatory war against drug abuse in the state.

The signing took place on 21st July 2026 at the Dutse Government House in the presence of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), as special guest, along with other executives from law enforcement and security agencies, religious leaders, traditional rulers, and community leaders.

The signing of the executive order underscores the concern, commitment, and political will of Governor Namadi to protect the younger generation and renew the moral strength of communities toward achieving an ideal and prosperous society.

Under this new comprehensive approach to the war against drug abuse, the executive order provides for the establishment of a structured campaign that brings prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, community mobilisation, and enforcement support under a coordinated framework.

The order will also facilitate institutional strengthening for societal reorientation by promoting patriotism, honesty, discipline, respect for the law, civic responsibility, and service to the common good.

The Jigawa State Government will also support and collaborate with relevant federal agencies to decisively deal with illicit drug traffickers, drug barons, and local dealers, cutting off their supply chains that fuel drug abuse, thereby wasting the lives of youths and creating serious security challenges in communities.

In his speeches at the occasion, Governor Namadi highlighted the urgency of tackling drug abuse, referencing the recent End Bad Governance protests, banditry, robbery, kidnapping, homicides, and other criminal activities, noting that 90 per cent of these are conducted under the influence of drugs.

These trends have exposed how easily young people can be drawn into destructive conduct when frustration, misinformation, idleness, and weak social guidance converge.

Namadi maintained that sustainable development requires more than projects and programmes; it also requires a positive civic culture, rooted in our traditions and the teachings of Islam, to guide citizens toward discipline, responsibility, and the common good.

According to surveys, more than half of Jigawa State’s population is under age 20, while the National Population Commission has recently stated that over 60 per cent of Nigerians are under age 30.

This population is a powerful asset and tool for growth and development if properly educated, skilled, healthy, morally grounded, and productively engaged. However, if not tackled, a major threat like drug abuse could turn this demographic into a social burden.

Drug abuse also reflects deeper social weaknesses, including the erosion of values, weak guidance, idleness, and a lack of positive engagement.

“Young empowerment without values can become misdirected energy; values without opportunity can become frustration.”

It is part of government responsibility to provide both: opportunities that open legitimate paths to progress, and guidance that anchors ambition in discipline, service, productivity, and peaceful coexistence.

Governor Namadi also declared that the dream of a prosperous and greater Jigawa can only be achieved and sustained if moral discipline is promoted and inculcated in the minds of the youth, while any acts that cause or harbour moral decadence, such as drug abuse, are tackled.

Collaborative effort and community participation are given much emphasis under the new executive order, which establishes control mechanisms for the war against drug abuse.

Under prevention, all sources and chains of supply will be traced, cut off, and flushed out from society.

Incentives, empowerment, and constructive engagement will be emphasised to ensure access to useful skills training for all youth, eliminating the redundancy that often pushes them into drug abuse.

Intelligence gathering, arrest, prosecution before the courts, and all other legal applications will be strengthened and fast-tracked to serve as a deterrent to others.

At the occasion, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.) identified the significance of the war against drug abuse in promoting peace, stability, unity, and progress in any society.

Brig. Marwa lamented how drug smuggling has become rampant in Nigeria, citing that over 14,000 illicit drug peddlers were prosecuted by his agency in 2025 alone.

He described the Jigawa Executive Order as a landmark achievement, demonstrating practical commitment by the state to join hands in a rigorous campaign against drug abuse.

Marwa added that most domestic crises between couples that lead to homicide are caused by drug abuse. Therefore, he is planning to advocate for drug abuse tests before marriage, higher institution admission, and other important public engagements.

He thanked Governor Namadi for signing the order, which will provide comprehensive guidelines under which every member of society will have a role to play in the crusade against drug abuse.

The campaign against drug abuse is a crusade against a destructive monster, while societal reorientation seeks to transform deep-seated negative mindsets. Both demand courage, discipline, commitment, and patience.

Beyond signing the executive order, what is more important now is for the general public to take ownership of the order, which is designed to protect their children from being wasted by drug abuse. For the government, it must work hard to ensure full implementation of the order against all odds.

Fighting drug trafficking and drug abuse is not an easy task globally, but we have confidence that Governor Namadi and the people of Jigawa State have the audacity to confront this evil and emerge victorious, Insha’Allah.