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. NDLEA boss explains why govt introduced drug integrity test for students

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), has expressed full support for ongoing efforts by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to rid Nigeria of the scourge of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

The students’ union leaders led by their National President, Comrade Sola Oladoja, made the commitment on Tuesday 21st April 2026 when they paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) at the Agency’s headquarters in Abuja where they equally reaffirmed their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and his re-election in 2027.
During the visit, Oladoja commended Marwa for his dynamic leadership and the Agency’s relentless successes against drug cartels. He specifically lauded his commitment to safeguarding the lives of Nigerian students through the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) social advocacy initiative, which has been instrumental in raising awareness across tertiary institutions.
Reaffirming the association’s support for the NDLEA and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu, Oladoja stated that the students’ backing of the current administration is rooted in tangible pro-youth achievements. These, he noted, include the successful implementation of student loans, the resolution of industrial strikes in tertiary institutions, and various youth empowerment schemes.

In his response, Marwa expressed his long-standing pride in the Nigerian student body, noting that his relationship with them has remained strong due to their consistent support across his various national assignments.
According to him, “As a critical sector of the Nigerian polity, what you said about your appreciation of the gains of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and your commitment to support his re-election in 2027 gladdens my heart.”
Addressing the specific challenge of drug prevalence in schools, the NDLEA boss emphasized the need for a collaborative front to sanitize the academic environment. “We need to work with you on our efforts to rid our campuses of drug abuse because of the consequences to students’ health, their aspirations, and even their families, as well as the society at large,” Marwa added.
Speaking on the recently introduced Federal Government Drug Integrity Test Policy for students, Marwa explained that the measure is strictly protective rather than punitive. He stated that the policy is designed in the best interest of the youth, as early detection of drug use makes treatment and rehabilitation far more effective.

The visit ended with a mutual commitment to deepen the partnership between NDLEA and NANS in the ongoing crusade against substance abuse on Nigerian campuses.

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Members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) staged a peaceful protest on Tuesday at the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Dutse, Jigawa State.

They are demanding that INEC formally recognise the party’s national leadership led by David Mark.

The protest comes amid growing political tension in the state, as internal party disputes and defections intensify ahead of party primaries and the next general elections.

According to reports, the protesters marched to the INEC office in the state capital without incident and submitted a petition to the commission.

Speaking after the protest, the Jigawa ADC Youth Leader, Manniru Aminu, accused INEC of overstepping its authority and said the commission cannot determine legal disputes involving court rulings.

“INEC does not have the constitutional power to interpret court rulings. That responsibility lies with the judiciary,” he said.

The group also claimed that INEC is not acting neutrally in handling internal party issues, which they described as a threat to democratic fairness.

They insisted that the leadership of the ADC under David Mark remains the only legitimate and constitutionally recognised structure of the party.

The protesters demanded that INEC immediately restore the Mark-led leadership on its official records and website.

They also called for a public apology from the commission and urged that those responsible for the alleged bias be held accountable.

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President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Fatima Zuntu as the director-general and chief executive officer of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA).

In a statement on Monday, Chris Ugwuegbulam, head of information and public relations at the office of the secretary to the government of the federation, said the appointment takes effect from April 16.

Ugwuegbulam said Zuntu will serve an initial term of four years, in line with section 5 of the National Biosafety Management Agency Act, 2015.

He said Zuntu is a public health professional and policy strategist with experience in implementing national programmes.

Ugwuegbulam said the president has tasked the new NBMA boss to deploy her expertise towards advancing the agency’s mandate.

Zuntu’s appointment comes amid ongoing scrutiny over leadership qualifications at the biosafety agency.

In December 2025, a non-governmental organisation filed a freedom of information (FOI) request seeking to verify the academic and professional credentials of Bello Bwari, the former NBMA director-general.

The group raised concerns that Bwari, a lawyer by training, may not have met the statutory requirements for the role, noting that section 5 of the NBMA Act stipulates that the agency’s head must possess at least a master’s degree in biological sciences or a related field.

The NGO’s request, submitted to the federal ministry of environment, asked the government to disclose documents relating to Bwari’s qualifications and the process leading to his appointment.

The organisation criticised the lack of transparency, warning that such issues could undermine public confidence in biosafety regulation and scientific governance in Nigeria.

The group said the outcome of the FOI request could set a precedent for accountability in regulatory agencies, particularly those overseeing public health, environmental protection, and biotechnology.