The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), has challenged Nigerian youths to reject harmful drug use and channel their influence towards healthier choices, responsible citizenship and national development.
Marwa delivered the message on Monday in Abuja at the opening of the 2026 Rotary Youth Leadership Academy (RYLA), organised by Rotary International District 9127 at the British Nigerian Academy, Prince and Princess Estate.
Represented by the NDLEA Director of Prevention and Sensitisation, Dr Dankolo Mohammed, Marwa told more than 600 young Nigerians participating in the leadership programme that the future of Nigeria would depend largely on the quality of its emerging leaders.
“The future of every nation rests not only on its natural resources or physical infrastructure, but fundamentally on the quality, character and competence of its people,” he said.
He urged the participants to look beyond certificates and see the academy as an opportunity to develop leadership capacity, build meaningful relationships and prepare themselves for service to their communities and the country.
“Leadership, however, is not simply about occupying a position. Leadership is about responsibility. Leadership is about influence. Leadership is about service,” Marwa said.
The NDLEA boss used the occasion to warn that drug abuse and illicit trafficking pose threats that extend far beyond individual users, affecting families, schools, communities, public health, productivity and national security.
“Drug-related problems do not affect only the individual who uses drugs. They can affect families, schools, communities, public health, productivity, security and national development,” he said.
Marwa stressed that the damage caused when a young person’s potential is derailed by harmful drug use is ultimately shared by the wider society.
“This is why prevention is so important,” he said.
He explained that the fight against drug abuse required more than arrests and prosecutions, calling for greater investment in prevention, education, family support, community engagement and assistance for people living with substance use disorders.
“At the NDLEA, we recognise that the fight against drugs cannot be won through enforcement alone,” Marwa said.
“We must also prevent drug use, educate our citizens, strengthen families and communities, empower young people and provide appropriate support for those affected by substance use disorders.”
He called for closer cooperation among government agencies, educational institutions, families, traditional and religious leaders, civil society groups and organisations such as Rotary.
Marwa particularly challenged the young participants to become active voices in preventing substance abuse rather than remaining passive beneficiaries of awareness campaigns.
He noted that young people wield enormous influence over their peers and urged them to use that influence to promote academic excellence, sports, creativity, entrepreneurship, innovation and healthy living.
“Be the friend who encourages, not the friend who destroys. Be the voice that informs, not the voice that misleads. Be the leader who inspires, not the leader who pressures others into harmful behaviour,” he said.
He also cautioned against stigmatising youths struggling with substance use, urging participants to encourage affected persons to seek professional help.
Marwa identified integrity, service and resilience as essential qualities for the young leaders.
He said integrity meant doing what was right even when no one was watching, warning that leadership without integrity would eventually lose public confidence.
On service, he encouraged the youths to use their talents, knowledge and opportunities to solve problems and improve the lives of others.
“The true measure of leadership is not how many people serve you, but how many lives become better because of your service,” he said.
He also urged them to develop the resilience needed to withstand peer pressure, disappointment and setbacks, particularly when making responsible choices that may not always be popular.
“When it comes to drugs, say no to harmful drug use and yes to purpose, positive ambition and a meaningful future,” Marwa said.
He said the NDLEA’s prevention mandate aligned naturally with Rotary’s youth leadership initiative because both organisations recognise that informed and empowered young people are essential to building safer communities.
‘Leadership Begins With Your Choices’
Marwa reminded the participants that leadership should not be associated only with public appointments or political positions.
“Leadership begins with the choices you make today,” he said.
“It begins with how you treat your parents, teachers, colleagues and friends.
”It begins with whether you keep your word. It begins with whether you stand for what is right when it is difficult to do so, ” he added.
He challenged the youths to leave the academy with three personal commitments: “I will develop myself. I will positively influence others. I will contribute to building a healthier, safer and more prosperous Nigeria.”
The NDLEA chairman also urged them to reject the notion that they are merely “leaders of tomorrow”, stressing that their choices and contributions already have an impact on Nigeria today.
The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, who declared the programme open, similarly urged participants to see themselves as active partners in nation-building.
Olawande said young Nigerians must combine character and competence with a willingness to serve, while developing practical skills that go beyond formal academic qualifications.
“My mission for youth leadership in Nigeria is simple. I want to see a Nigerian youth that is prepared, trusted and given the opportunity to help build this country,” he said.
He encouraged participants to develop technological skills, effective communication and problem-solving abilities, warning against relying solely on university degrees.
“A university degree is important, but please, the world is changing. A degree alone cannot strengthen you enough,” he said.
The minister acknowledged that government could not meet every youth-development need on its own and called for stronger collaboration with organisations such as Rotary.
“The government cannot do it alone,” he said, while commending Rotary for bringing together more than 600 young Nigerians.
The District Governor of Rotary International District 9127, Engr. Sikiru Adetona Owonikoko, urged participants to take full advantage of the academy, describing it as an opportunity to build relationships, acquire knowledge and gain experiences that could shape their future.
“Whatever you have a chance to learn here will be useful,” Owonikoko said.
He encouraged the participants to remain disciplined and comply with the academy’s rules, noting that mentorship, sponsorship and other opportunities could emerge from their involvement.
The Chairman of the RYLA 2026 Planning Committee, Dr Kayode Olushola Fasua, described the programme as historic because of the number of young Nigerians taking part.
He said the participants would receive training and engage in discussions covering leadership, digital innovation and artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, financial intelligence, civic responsibility, character development, mentorship and vocational skills.
Fasua urged the youths to return to their communities with more than inspiration, challenging them to become ethical leaders, innovative problem-solvers and compassionate citizens.
The central message from the academy was clear: Nigeria’s future will not be secured by young people waiting for their turn. It will be shaped by the choices they make, the values they uphold and the influence they exert today.
