The House of Representatives has called on key institutions such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, the Standard Organisation of Nigeria, the Federal Ministries of Health, and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria to forward memoranda in preparation for its investigation into the widespread use, trafficking, and regulation of illicit drugs nationwide.
Those also invited to submit input include “Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of MAN, PMG-MAN, Major pharmaceutical companies (Emzor, Fidson, May and Baker, Juhel, Dana), Nigerian Breweries Plc, Guinness Nigeria Plc, International Distillers Limited and Tobacco industry representatives.”
Law enforcement bodies were not left out, as the invitation extended to “The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigerian Correctional Service, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria and the Nigerian Medical Association.”
The Committee further expects contributions from the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria, the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, the Nigerian Bar Association, the Civil Society Network on Substance Abuse, and the National Youth Council of Nigeria.
Development partners such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the World Health Organisation, the United Nations Development Programme, the US Agency for International Development, and the United Nations Children’s Fund are also billed to send memoranda to the Committee.
Earlier, the House had set up an Ad-hoc Committee to examine the prevalence, regulation, and impact of drugs, tobacco, alcohol, illicit trafficking, and related crimes across the country.
The panel, chaired by the lawmaker representing Owo/Ose Federal Constituency in Ondo State, Oluwatimehin Adelegbe, emerged following the adoption of a motion seeking an investigation into the rising trend of drug abuse among Nigerians.
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In a statement released on Sunday, the 26th of October, 2025, he said the Committee’s task includes uncovering root causes, identifying weak links within institutions, exposing lapses in regulation and enforcement, and proposing actionable strategies to tackle drug use and trafficking.
The Committee is also to produce recommendations that will reinforce national drug control systems, enhance public health, and safeguard citizens from the dangers of substance misuse.
“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.
He encouraged Nigerians to forward memoranda to the Committee “Addressing concerns, recommendations and proposed interventions on the subject matter,” to help shape the panel’s final report for presentation to the House.