The Council of Northern Youth Advocates of Nigeria (CNYAN) has expressed its commitment to partnering with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the ongoing fight against drug abuse across the country.

The leadership of the council, led by its President, Hon. Mohammed Abdulrazaq, paid a courtesy visit to the NDLEA Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, where they were warmly received by the Director, Drug Demand Reduction, Assistant Commander General of Narcotics (ACGN) Mohammed Ibrahim Bashir, who represented the Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd).

While welcoming the delegation, ACGN Bashir commended the group for its advocacy efforts, describing the youths’ engagement in the campaign against substance abuse as a positive sign for the nation’s future.

“It is good to see vibrant youths joining the fight against drug abuse; it shows that the youths are ready to take the future in their own hands,” he said. He assured the CNYAN leadership that the NDLEA is ready to strengthen collaborations with credible youth organisations in its national drug demand reduction drive.

Speaking earlier, the CNYAN President, Hon. Abdulrazaq, highlighted the organisation’s activities and its consistent advocacy for good governance, youth empowerment, and social reform across Northern Nigeria.

“The CNYAN is a formidable organisation in Northern Nigeria. We have been at the forefront of advocating for good governance, fighting against social vices, and building national bridges across the Niger,” he stated.

He explained that the organisation’s Northern Youth Summit, held on September 4, 2025, at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Asokoro, was a major platform to address pressing social challenges such as drug abuse and human trafficking.

According to him, the summit attracted an impressive gathering of stakeholders including top government officials, traditional rulers, civil society groups, and students.

Among the dignitaries present were representatives of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. Dr. George Akume, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, the Director-General of NAPTIP, officials of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the FCT Commissioner of Police, and the Ejeh of Ankpa Kingdom, HRH Dr. Abubakar Sadeeq Ahmed Yakubu II, among others.

Hon. Abdulrazaq stressed that the visit to the NDLEA was to reinforce the group’s commitment to supporting the agency’s mandate. “We are here to express our readiness to support the Agency in the fight against drug abuse because NDLEA cannot do it alone. The Agency needs the support of every well-meaning Nigerian to join this fight, as drug abuse is causing us more harm than good,” he emphasized.

As part of the visit, the council presented a Patronship Certificate to Brig. Gen. Marwa, appointing him as a patron of CNYAN in recognition of his outstanding leadership in combating drug trafficking and substance abuse nationwide. “This will give us the opportunity to learn directly and enjoy mentorship from the Chairman,” Abdulrazaq added.

The meeting ended on a note of optimism, with both parties reaffirming their shared vision of a Nigeria free from drug abuse and substance dependence.