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The House of Representatives has summoned a wide range of regulatory bodies, manufacturers, law enforcement agencies, and international partners as part of a sweeping investigation into the growing prevalence of illicit drug use, trafficking, and weak regulatory enforcement across Nigeria.
The agencies invited to submit memoranda include the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Federal Ministries of Health, and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
Others expected to appear before the House are top players in the pharmaceutical and beverage industries such as Emzor, Fidson, May & Baker, Juhel, Dana Pharmaceuticals, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Guinness Nigeria Plc, International Distillers Limited, and representatives of the tobacco industry.
Law enforcement and professional bodies including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigerian Correctional Service, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) are also among those summoned.
The Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Civil Society Network on Substance Abuse, and the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) are similarly expected to make submissions.
Additionally, development partners including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), US Agency for International Development (USAID), and UNICEF have been invited to provide expert memoranda to the committee.
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The House had earlier constituted an Ad-hoc Committee to probe the widespread abuse, trafficking, and regulatory lapses surrounding drugs, tobacco, alcohol, and related crimes across the country.
The committee, chaired by Oluwatimehin Adelegbe, who represents Owo/Ose Federal Constituency in Ondo State, was formed following the adoption of a motion to investigate the escalating rate of drug abuse among Nigerians.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Adelegbe explained that the committee’s mandate includes identifying the root causes of the problem, examining institutional weaknesses, closing regulatory and enforcement gaps, and developing practical measures to tackle the crisis.
“The committee is charged with the mandate of examining the root causes, identifying institutional weaknesses, regulatory and enforcement gaps and developing practical solutions to combat drug use and trafficking,” he said.
He added that the panel would also make recommendations to strengthen national drug control mechanisms, promote public health, and protect citizens from substance-related harms.
“In view of the mandate and the urgency attached to it, the committee has resolved to interface with relevant stakeholders and other Nigerians with a view to identifying the causes and proffering a solution,” the statement read in part.
Adelegbe further urged Nigerians to participate in the process by submitting memoranda to the committee “addressing concerns, recommendations and proposed interventions on the subject matter,” to guide the panel in preparing its report for presentation to the House for legislative action.
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