Abuja: The Senate has urged the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the National Human Rights Commission to collaborate on a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s anti-drug war framework.
It noted that the National Assembly completed work on the NDLEA Act (2004) amendment in June, but President Bola Tinubu withheld assent over a constitutional conflict.
Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele made this known on Monday at a technical workshop of the NHRC, civil society groups, and human rights defenders held in Abuja.
The workshop, with the theme ‘Towards a Comprehensive Drug Harm Reduction Strategy in Nigeria’, sought to improve drug laws without harming public health.
Bamidele, represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Charles Luri-Bala, praised the organisers for pursuing a national drug-harm-reduction strategy.
He said the Senate recognised that illicit drug challenges required a multi-sector response that respected the rights of vulnerable groups.
He added that lawmakers believed drug policy must shift from “overly punitive measures” to treatment, rehabilitation, and reintegration.
He recalled that these concerns shaped the 10th Assembly’s decision to amend the NDLEA Act, despite the President’s eventual refusal.
Bamidele stressed that the refusal “does not mean the bill cannot return once the conflicting section is properly addressed.”
He urged stakeholders to unite behind reforms that could “revolutionise” the anti-drug war and support national development.
He assured participants that lawmakers would support an amendment providing strong legal backing for evidence-based harm-reduction policies.
He said the insights offered at the workshop would guide the National Assembly as it considers further policy reforms.