In a renewed effort to curb drug abuse and promote public health, Trailblazer Initiative Nigeria (TBI) has strengthened its partnership with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), signaling a stronger commitment to collaborative action on drug prevention and tobacco control in Oyo State.
Speaking during the advocacy visit to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) State Command Headquarters in Ibadan, TBI’s Executive Director, Dr. Dare Olagoke-Adaramoye, commended the agency for its proactive interventions across the state, while drawing attention to the rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Nigeria.
He noted that NCDs account for nearly one-third of deaths in the country, with tobacco use identified as a major preventable risk factor.
According to him, although policies on tobacco control exist, weak financing continues to limit effective implementation, underscoring the need for sustainable domestic funding.
Dr. Olagoke-Adaramoye also presented his capstone project, supported by the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), titled “Strengthening Tobacco Control in Oyo State through Sustainable Domestic Financing.” The project aims to influence the state’s pre-budget process to secure a dedicated tobacco control budget line within the Ministry of Health’s 2027 budget framework.
He explained that the initiative is expected to drive formal policy commitments reflected in official budget documents and planning instruments, while also strengthening accountability mechanisms for enforcement and compliance monitoring.
In his remarks, the NDLEA Oyo State Commander, Adetula Oluwarotimi Lawal, revealed that the Agency has recorded over 200 drug-related arrests in recent months, a development he said reflects intensified enforcement efforts.
He further highlighted ongoing sensitization campaigns, particularly school-based programmes aimed at educating young people on the dangers of substance abuse.
Lawal reaffirmed the Agency’s readiness to collaborate with TBI, noting that such partnerships would enhance prevention strategies and broaden the reach of public awareness campaigns.
TBI and NDLEA identified key areas for collaboration, including joint awareness campaigns, youth-focused interventions, community engagement, and coordinated policy advocacy.
The engagement marks a significant step toward strengthening multi-sectoral cooperation in addressing drug abuse and tobacco-related health risks especially among young people while advancing sustainable solutions to improve public health outcomes across the state.
