The Senate, through its leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, on Monday issued a clear challenge to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC): work together immediately to pursue a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s anti-drug war regime.
Senator Bamidele delivered the challenge during his remarks at a technical workshop—titled “Towards a Comprehensive Drug Harm Reduction Strategy in Nigeria: Legislative Perspectives and Opportunities”—held at the Abuja Continental Hotel.
The Senate Leader explained that while the National Assembly had completed the process of reviewing the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, 2004, in June 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ultimately declined assent. The reason for the refusal was that a section of the amendment bill conflicted directly with Section 58(4) of the 1999 Constitution.
The workshop, convened by the NHRC, the Civil Society, Human Rights Defenders Forum, and Human Rights Expo, was specifically organized to improve existing drug laws and policies. The core aim is to ensure that these laws are not detrimental to the health and wellbeing of people who use drugs and their communities.
Senator Bamidele commended the NHRC and its strategic partners for organizing the crucial workshop aimed at crafting a comprehensive drug harm reduction strategy for the country.
He acknowledged that the Senate recognizes that the serious challenges posed by illicit drug use require a multi-sectoral approach that fully respects the fundamental rights of all persons, particularly those in vulnerable populations.
“At the National Assembly, we believe that an effective drug strategy must shift away from overly punitive policies that only exacerbate stigma to a comprehensive approach that prioritizes treatment, rehabilitation, and social reintegration,” the Senate Leader stated.
He confirmed that these principles were the very issues that informed the 10th National Assembly’s decision to amend the 2004 Act. Despite the setback of the President’s non-assent, Senator Bamidele urged the stakeholders present to intensify their collaborative efforts, asserting that the bill, if eventually enacted, would revolutionize Nigeria’s anti-drug war and be significantly beneficial to national development.
He stressed that “The insights and recommendations generated from this workshop, particularly from the legal and specialist perspectives, will be invaluable for the National Assembly as we consider necessary policy reforms.”
