The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has proposed a policy making drug-free certificates a mandatory requirement for all intending couples across Nigeria. The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), advocated for this measure on Tuesday, stating that drug screening must be elevated to the same level of importance as pre-marital HIV and genotype tests to protect the sanctity of new homes.

Marwa made the call during the official launch of the Campaign Against Drug Abuse at the Government House in Dutse, Jigawa State. The high-profile event also featured the signing of strategic Executive Orders by the state government, establishing the Jigawa State Task Force on Drug Abuse Control and the Mass Mobilisation for Social Reorientation initiative.

According to the NDLEA boss, the proposed mandatory test is a preventive measure designed to shield families from the devastating socio-economic and emotional impacts of substance abuse. He noted that many modern families routinely demand medical fitness, HIV, and genetic compatibility results before approving marriages, arguing that adding a certified clean drug record to the list is a logical step toward national health security.

The anti-narcotics chief revealed that the agency routinely handles distressing, near-daily cases of marriages collapsing or being abruptly cancelled just days before the wedding ceremonies. These heartbreaks, he explained, occur when one partner unexpectedly tests positive for illicit substances, a recurring crisis that could easily be averted through early, institutionalized pre-marital screenings.

Marwa emphasized that no responsible parent would willingly marry off their child to a known drug addict, stressing that early screening empowers families to make informed decisions. He urged the Jigawa State Government and other sub-national entities across Nigeria to adopt the initiative, calling on religious leaders, traditional rulers, and civil society organizations to institutionalize the practice within their domains.

Responding to the advocacy, the Governor of Jigawa State, Umar Namadi, commended Marwa’s leadership and urged the newly inaugurated task force members to discharge their duties with utmost integrity and patience. Governor Namadi described the war against substance abuse as a complex, long-term assignment that requires sustained structural interventions rather than temporary, short-term solutions.

Highlighting the state`s enforcement milestones, Governor Namadi disclosed that the Jigawa State Command of the NDLEA has intercepted nearly 2,000 kilograms of illicit drugs valued at over ₦2.8 billion, while successfully securing 136 convictions. The governor subsequently appealed to the national headquarters of the NDLEA for additional operational assets and logistics to ensure the seamless enforcement of the newly signed Executive Orders.