Odita Sunday 
VCN Pushes for More Veterinary Doctors in NDLEA Recruitment, Seeks Return of Anti-Drug Clubs in Schools
Maryam Aminu
The Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN) has intensified efforts to secure greater opportunities for veterinary professionals in the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) recruitment process while advocating the revival of anti-drug clubs in schools as part of a broader strategy to combat substance abuse among young Nigerians.
This formed the focus of a high-level courtesy visit by the President of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria, Professor Mathew Adamu, and members of the Council’s leadership to the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), at the Agency’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.
During the engagement, Professor Adamu commended General Marwa on his reappointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, describing it as recognition of his leadership and achievements in Nigeria’s anti-drug campaign.
Shifting attention to workforce development and preventive education, the VCN President called for increased recruitment opportunities for veterinary doctors in future NDLEA employment exercises, stressing that veterinary professionals possess specialised expertise that can strengthen drug detection operations, canine management systems, public health interventions, and national security efforts.
He noted that veterinary doctors already contribute meaningfully to the Agency’s operations and appealed for expanded participation to maximise their professional capacity in advancing drug control initiatives.
Professor Adamu also urged the NDLEA to scale up efforts to revive anti-drug clubs in tertiary institutions and schools nationwide, describing the initiative as a proactive measure to educate young people early on the dangers of substance abuse and build a culture of responsible decision-making.
Drawing from his experience as immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, he disclosed that the institution had implemented mandatory drug screening for newly admitted students as part of institutional efforts to discourage drug abuse and sustain a healthy academic environment.
The VCN President further praised the Agency’s deployment of trained detector dogs at international airports and strategic locations, noting that veterinary expertise remains critical to sustaining effective canine operations in the fight against illicit drugs.
Responding, Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd.) reaffirmed NDLEA’s readiness to deepen collaboration with the Veterinary Council of Nigeria across key areas including capacity building, canine management, public health and drug control programmes.
He acknowledged the importance of professional partnerships in strengthening national outcomes and disclosed that plans were underway to expand deployment of trained detector dogs beyond current locations to airports in Port Harcourt, Abuja, Enugu and Kano.
“Dogs remain the last line of action when human capacity has been exhausted. Their unique abilities continue to make them invaluable assets in our fight against drug trafficking and other criminal activities,” he said.
On youth engagement and prevention strategies, General Marwa revealed that the Agency had already commenced efforts to revive anti-drug clubs in schools and tertiary institutions across the country, describing the initiative as essential to creating awareness, discouraging substance abuse and promoting positive values among students.
He thanked the VCN delegation for the visit and assured the Council of continued collaboration in advancing shared national goals.
Members of the VCN delegation included the Immediate Past President and Member of the VCN Board, Dr. (AIG) Aishatu Mohammed Baju; Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Abuja, Professor Simon Emem; Acting Registrar, VCN, Dr. Fadipe Oladotun; Deputy Registrars, Dr. Garba John and Dr. Sarah Chimezie; Assistant Director, Administration, Omoroje Ali; Chief Accountant, Olobaniyi Jacob; and Head, Information and Public Relations, Madina Gertrude.
Senior management staff of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) were also present at the meeting.
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