By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja

The House of Representatives has commenced a nationwide investigation into Nigeria’s worsening drug abuse and trafficking crisis, pledging to expose systemic failures, hold erring institutions and corporate actors accountable, and recommend sweeping reforms to protect public health and national security.

The probe formally began yesterday in Abuja with the inauguration of an investigative hearing by the House Ad hoc Committee on Drugs, Trafficking, Alcohol and Tobacco Abuse.

Chairman of the committee, Rep. Oluwatimehin Adelegbe, described the scale of substance abuse in the country as a “National emergency,” warning that it now threatens the very fabric of Nigerian society.

“Today, we gather under the mandate of the Nigerian people and under the solemn weight of a crisis that threatens the soul of our nation,” Adelegbe said. “Drug abuse and illicit trafficking are no longer isolated problems; they have become a clear and present danger to our health, security and collective future.”

He said the committee was constituted to uncover the truth behind the growing crisis, identify institutional lapses, and propose far-reaching corrective measures capable of reversing what he called a deeply disturbing trend.

According to the lawmaker, cannabis is now smoked openly on the streets, methamphetamine use is spreading rapidly, and codeine-based cough syrups are sold almost as casually as soft drinks. He added that tramadol 200mg is trafficked with the same sophistication as hard narcotics, while cheap and hazardous alcoholic mixtures are destroying young lives in motor parks, campuses and marketplaces nationwide.

Adelegbe also accused some tobacco companies of exploiting regulatory loopholes to target minors through flavoured products, informal retail channels and misleading marketing practices. He further decried the influx of substandard pharmaceuticals, fake spirits and unregistered products into the country, blaming weak enforcement at ports, airports and land borders, which he said trafficking syndicates routinely exploit.

“Entire communities have been crippled by addiction, crime and preventable deaths. Nigeria is losing too many lives, too many futures, too many families,” he said, stressing that the investigation was not a witch-hunt or an anti-business move.

“We support industries and value investment, but no business model can be allowed to thrive at the expense of Nigerian lives. No profit margin can justify the destruction of our youth,” Adelegbe declared, adding that all stakeholders must cooperate fully with the committee.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) raised fresh alarm over the scale of drug use in Nigeria, describing the situation as significantly above the global average.

In a memorandum submitted to the committee, the UN agency cited the 2018 Nigeria Drug Use Survey conducted with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the European Union, which found that 14.4 per cent of Nigerians aged 15 to 64 use drugs. Cannabis was identified as the most commonly used drug, with an estimated 10.6 million users, followed by about seven million users of pharmaceutical opioids such as tramadol and codeine-based cough syrups.

The survey also revealed that nearly three million Nigerians suffer from drug use disorders requiring counselling or medical treatment, with women and girls disproportionately affected by stigma and limited access to care.

UNODC warned that drug use in Africa could rise by 40 per cent by 2030, a trend that could push Nigeria’s drug-using population beyond 20 million, posing what it described as an extreme threat to public health and public security.

Citing findings from the 2025 World Drug Report, the agency noted that cannabis remains the most widely used drug globally, accounting for about 42 per cent of drug use disorder cases, while opioids remain the deadliest, responsible for nearly two-thirds of drug-related deaths worldwide.

To stem the tide, UNODC recommended a balanced, evidence-based approach combining intelligence-led law enforcement with expanded prevention, treatment and harm-reduction services. Its proposals include legislative reforms, defined decriminalisation of possession for personal use, strengthened asset forfeiture and financial investigations, modernised precursor controls, and alternatives to incarceration for low-level, non-violent drug offences.

Also presenting a memorandum, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Nigeria from illicit drugs and substance abuse. The agency commended the House for its proactive intervention and pledged technical support toward strengthening the National Drug Control Master Plan, while calling for improved legislation, tighter regulation, expanded treatment systems and increased operational resources.

By David Torough, Abuja

Clement Koko has been inaugurated as the President and Chairman-in-Council of the Chartered Institute of Professional Printers of Nigeria (CIPPON), pledging to reposition the institute as a world-class professional body and drive reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s printing and allied industries.

At the inauguration ceremony of the CIPPON Governing Council, Clement expressed gratitude to the Minister of Information and National Orientation for approving the inauguration after a prolonged legal tussle, describing the move as a demonstration of respect for the judiciary and a boost to the institute’s stability.

He also acknowledged the contributions of past leaders of the institute, particularly the immediate past president, Dr.

Niyi Adesoye, whom he praised for his resilience and steadfast leadership during challenging periods in the institute’s history.

Koko said his administration would build on existing foundations while charting a new course for professionalism, innovation and unity within the institute. He outlined key priorities, including advocacy for the creation of the Office of the Printer General of the Federation and similar offices in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, or alternatively a Printers Commission, to provide proper oversight and recognition for the printing industry.

The new CIPPON president also announced plans to push for the inclusion of printing as a recognised creative industry, stressing that printing plays a critical role in economic development and deserves greater government attention. He further disclosed that the institute would work with universities and regulatory agencies to introduce Printing Technology or Printing Management as degree programmes in Nigerian universities to address skills gaps and enhance competitiveness.

As part of efforts to chart a sustainable path for the sector, Koko said CIPPON would convene a national summit within the first quarter of his tenure, bringing together stakeholders, industry players and regulators to discuss the future of the printing industry in Nigeria.

Calling for unity, Clement urged members to put an end to internal litigations, noting that the institute’s enabling law provides for dispute resolution through internal tribunals before recourse to the courts. He appealed to aggrieved members to embrace dialogue, emphasizing that collective unity was essential to moving the institute forward after years of setbacks.

Among other initiatives, he announced plans to expand professional training programmes nationwide, institute annual printing industry awards, publish a comprehensive industry report on challenges and opportunities, and deepen engagement with government and other stakeholders. He also unveiled an annual Alhaji Aderemi Mohammed Lawal Memorial Lecture on continuous printing education to honour the founding president of CIPPON.

The ceremony concluded with a minute of silence in memory of the late founding president, after which Clement formally requested the Honourable Minister to declare him duly inaugurated as President of the Chartered Institute of Professional Printers of Nigeria.

Thousands of drivers could have speeding fines cancelled after a fault saw some cameras falsely triggered on English A roads and motorways.

National Highways said it had found 2,650 wrongful speed camera activations since 2021 due to a delay between cameras and variable speed signs.

Affected drivers will be contacted by police and be reimbursed for any fines while points will be removed from their licences where needed.

Not all camera activations are enforced, so not all of the wrongful activations will have resulted in fines.

National Highways apologised for the error and chief executive Nick Harris said a fix for the issue has been identified.

“Safety is our number one priority.

All drivers should continue observing the posted speed limits as normal. Anyone who has been impacted will be contacted by the relevant police force,” he said.

National Highways, which runs England’s motorways, blamed an “anomaly” in how variable speed cameras were interacting with signs on some A roads and motorways.

It meant a delay of around 10 seconds between cameras and relevant variable speed signs, meaning some drivers were incorrectly identified as speeding after the limit had changed.

The body said the 2,650 incidents since 2021 represent fewer than two each day, compared with more than 6 million activations of speed cameras on the affected roads over the same period.

It said the anomaly has impacted 10% of England’s motorways and major A roads.

The fault affects all of the variable speed cameras on smart motorways, and two on the A14 which links the north and the West Midlands to East Anglia.

It is working with police to check activations and promised nobody will now be wrongly prosecuted.

Meanwhile, police forces have stopped issuing fines from variable cameras until they have confidence in their accuracy.

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “We apologise to anyone who has been affected. Safety was never compromised, and we are working with policing to ensure nobody is incorrectly prosecuted in future.

“Enforcement is still in place, and the public can remain confident that only motorists who break the rules will be penalised.”