The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee constituted to investigate the prevalence, regulation, and impact of drug abuse, tobacco, alcohol, illicit trafficking, and related crimes across Nigeria has invited key stakeholders and the general public to submit Memoranda.
The Committee, chaired by Hon. Oluwatimehin Adelegbe (Owo/Ose Federal Constituency, Ondo State), was established following a House motion to address the escalating issue of substance abuse nationwide.
The Ad-hoc Committee is charged with a comprehensive mandate to:
Examine the root causes of drug use and trafficking.
Identify institutional weaknesses and regulatory/enforcement gaps.
Develop practical solutions to combat drug use and trafficking.
Formulate recommendations to strengthen national drug control mechanisms, promote public health, and protect citizens from substance-related harms.
To achieve its mandate, the Committee is urgently seeking input from a broad spectrum of stakeholders. Interested parties are requested to submit memoranda addressing concerns, recommendations, and proposed interventions on the subject matter.
Regulatory & Health Agencies: National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), Federal Ministries of Health, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), and Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).
Law Enforcement: National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, and Nigerian Correctional Service.
Industry & Professional Groups: Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of MAN (PMG-MAN), Major Pharmaceutical Companies (e.g., Emzor, Fidson, May & Baker, Juhel, Dana), Nigerian Breweries Plc, Guinness Nigeria Plc, International Distillers Limited, and Tobacco industry.
Representatives.
Civil Society & Research: Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Civil Society Network on Substance Abuse, and the National Youth Council of Nigeria.
International Development Partners: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), US Agency for International Development (USAID), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Urgency and Commitment
Chairman Hon. Adelegbe emphasized the urgency of the matter, stating: “The Committee has resolved to interface with relevant stakeholders and all Nigerians to identify the causes and proffer a lasting solution. We urge the public to utilize this opportunity to provide detailed and practical submissions that will guide the panel in drafting its final report for legislative action by the House.”
The findings and recommendations from these memoranda will be critical in developing robust legislative frameworks to combat drug abuse and its devastating consequences on Nigerian society.
