The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has launched its official radio station, Clean Beat 91.5FM, with a strong warning that the growing glorification of illicit drug use in music, entertainment and social media poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s future.
Speaking during the commissioning of the station in Abuja on Thursday, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), said the country could face grave social, economic and security consequences if substance abuse continues to be normalised among young people.
Marwa described the new radio platform as a major step in the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, stressing that enforcement alone cannot solve the nation’s drug crisis.
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According to him, education, prevention and cultural reorientation are now critical weapons in the fight against addiction and illicit substance abuse.
“We recognise that behind every statistic of drug abuse is a human being — a vulnerable teenager seeking escape, a broken family searching for answers, a brilliant mind derailed but capable of redirection,” Marwa said.
“Through this station, The NDLEA will counter the toxic pop culture that glamourises drug abuse by replacing it with a vibrant alternative culture that celebrates sobriety, showcases real stories of recovery and provides accurate, life-saving information.”
The NDLEA boss warned that the continued spread of pro-drug narratives could deepen insecurity, weaken public health systems, reduce economic productivity and endanger the country’s workforce.
“If we do not control the narrative today, the consequences tomorrow will be catastrophic,” he added.
Marwa said the establishment of Clean Beat 91.5FM represents a “paradigm shift” in the agency’s anti-drug strategy, noting that radio remains one of the most effective communication tools for reaching ordinary Nigerians across homes, schools, markets and rural communities.
“At the NDLEA, our mandate is clear and our resolve is unyielding. Day and night, our officers are on the front lines intercepting illicit shipments, dismantling criminal syndicates and prosecuting those who trade in human misery,” he stated.
“While enforcement wins battles, education and prevention win wars. True victory against substance abuse cannot be achieved solely through handcuffs or prison cells.”
Marwa disclosed that the radio station became possible through the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the National Broadcasting Commission and international development partners.
He urged Nigerian youths to engage with the station and become ambassadors of the anti-drug movement.
“To all Nigerians, especially our vibrant youth, this station is yours. Tune in, engage with our programmes and help us rewrite the story of our generation,” he said.
The launch attracted commendations from local and international stakeholders involved in drug control, public orientation and media regulation.
Representing the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Dr Akanidomo Ibanga, who spoke on behalf of UN Country Representative Cheikh Touré, described the initiative as an innovative people-centred approach that aligns with Nigeria’s National Drug Control Master Plan.
He noted that the station would strengthen anti-drug advocacy by taking preventive education directly into homes and communities.
Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Charles Ebuebu, said the station symbolised the strategic use of broadcasting for national orientation, behavioural change and youth engagement.
“The fight against substance abuse is not simply a law enforcement responsibility; it is a national developmental imperative,” Ebuebu said.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, Lanre Issa-Onilu, represented by Bala Musa, described Clean Beat FM as an important platform for citizen reorientation and positive social values.
The launch comes amid increasing concern over rising substance abuse among Nigerian youths, with experts and advocacy groups repeatedly calling for stronger preventive education to complement law enforcement operations.
