Education District VI, NDLEA join forces against drug abuse in schools

By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

Education District VI has strengthened its collaboration with the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Zone VIII Command, Gbagada, as part of efforts to curb substance abuse among students and promote safer learning environments across schools.

The partnership was reinforced during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the district, led by the Director of Schools Administration, Mrs. Adeola Ayo-Vaugh, to the NDLEA Zone VIII Command on Wednesday.

The visit, which forms part of the district’s preventive sensitisation and safe school initiatives, focused on addressing growing concerns over students’ exposure to drug abuse and other harmful social influences within school communities.

Speaking during the meeting, the NDLEA Zonal Commander, Assistant Commander General of Narcotics (ACGN) Aniete Nse Inam, reaffirmed the agency’s readiness to partner with schools in tackling the menace of substance abuse among young people.

She stressed that raising responsible children requires collective efforts from both schools and parents.

“Schools and teachers cannot do it alone; parents must provide active guidance, supervision and value-based nurturing at home,” Inam said.

Mrs. Ayo-Vaugh, in her remarks, emphasised the district’s commitment to preventive measures aimed at keeping students away from drugs and other harmful behaviours.

According to her, creating a safe and conducive learning environment remains a priority, adding that the district values NDLEA’s expertise in preventive advocacy and awareness campaigns.

Also speaking, the Principal of Igbo-Owu Senior Secondary School, Mr. Olufemi Idowu, expressed concern over what he described as the increasing normalisation of substance abuse among youths.

He called for sustained sensitisation programmes to educate students on the long-term consequences of drug abuse on their health, education, behaviour, productivity and future aspirations.

As part of the initiative, Education District VI announced plans to commence pilot intervention programmes in schools within the Igbo-Owu axis, targeting students in Junior Secondary School Three (JSS3), Senior Secondary School One (SS1) and Senior Secondary School Two (SS2).

The district also formally invited the NDLEA to participate in its forthcoming Parent Forum scheduled for June 2026 as part of efforts to deepen stakeholder engagement in the fight against drug abuse.

Responding, Commander Inam welcomed the invitation and expressed the command’s commitment to participating in programmes involving parents, teachers and counsellors to strengthen preventive sensitisation efforts in schools.

The collaboration is expected to bolster ongoing campaigns against drug abuse and reinforce measures aimed at safeguarding students across Education District VI.