The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has launched its radio station, Clean Beat 91.5FM, aimed at combating drug abuse among Nigerian youths and the general public.
Speaking during the commissioning of the radio station in Abuja on Thursday, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), urged Nigerians to rise and counter the toxic pop culture that glamorises the abuse of illicit substances as an acceptable way of life, especially among youths.
Marwa challenged stakeholders and well-meaning Nigerians to join the NDLEA in its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) social advocacy campaign to save the youth population from the dangers of accepting illicit drug abuse as a social norm.
“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. Through this station, we will drive our narrative softly but firmly. We will counter the toxic pop-culture that glamourises drug abuse by replacing it with a vibrant, alternative culture — one that celebrates sobriety, showcases real stories of recovery, and provides accurate, life-saving information.
“Let us make no mistake: the stakes could not be higher. If we do not control the narrative today, the consequences tomorrow will be catastrophic. Substance abuse is a hydra-headed monster that feeds insecurity, decimates public health, cripples economic productivity, and compromises the very future of our workforce,” he said.
Marwa affirmed that the NDLEA refuses to view the future through a lens of despair, expressing hope that the initiative represents concrete action against substance abuse.
“It represents a paradigm shift. It proves that the NDLEA is not just reacting to threats, but proactively innovating to stay ahead of them. Clean Beat 91.5 FM will stand as a beacon of light, constantly reminding us that a drug-free Nigeria is not an idealistic dream, it is an achievable reality,” he declared.
According to him, the NDLEA is doing something far more significant than merely switching on a transmitter or launching another radio station, stressing that the Agency is amplifying hope. He described the development as the commissioning of a powerful and relentless voice for a cause that lies at the heart of national security, the survival of communities, and the destiny of Nigerian youths.
“At the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), our mandate is clear, and our resolve is unyielding. Day and night, our officers are on the front lines. We intercept illicit shipments, we dismantle sophisticated criminal syndicates, and we prosecute those who trade in human misery.
“With the benefit of hindsight, I have always maintained that while enforcement wins battles, education and prevention win wars. True victory against the scourge of substance abuse cannot be achieved solely by the cold steel of handcuffs or the iron bars of a prison cell. It is won when we dismantle the demand. It is won when we conquer the ignorance that lures our children into the abyss of addiction,” he remarked.
“And that is precisely why Clean Beat 91.5 FM was conceived. In a fast-evolving digital age, radio remains an incomparable asset. It is intimate. It is immediate. It bypasses barriers and speaks directly to the citizen — in their living rooms, on their daily commutes, in the bustling marketplaces, and in the quiet moments of introspection.”
The NDLEA boss disclosed that the milestone would not have been possible without the support of President Bola Tinubu, who approved the budget for the station, as well as the National Security Adviser, the National Broadcasting Commission, international partners, and members of the NDLEA team who worked tirelessly to turn the vision into a broadcasting reality.
“I extend my deepest gratitude to you all. Your partnership proves that when we unite against a common threat, victory is inevitable.”
Marwa further appealed to Nigerians, especially youths, to tune in to the Agency’s station and engage with its programmes, while urging them to become ambassadors of what he described as a national movement against drug abuse.
“Let us rewrite the story of our generation; let us guard the health of our nation; and let us protect the rhythm of our future. Together, ladies and gentlemen, let us keep the beat clean,” he added.
In his goodwill message at the occasion, the United Nations Country Representative, Mr. Cheikh Ousmane Touré, who was represented by Dr. Akanidomo Ibanga, commended Marwa for considering radio as a viable platform for advocacy.
“Through this initiative, the NDLEA has demonstrated its continued commitment to innovative and people-centred approaches that complement enforcement efforts with education, advocacy, and dialogue. Through this platform, NDLEA is taking the drug control message directly to the people — into homes, communities, schools, and streets.
“This initiative also aligns strongly with the National Drug Control Master Plan and reinforces the leadership of NDLEA in driving a balanced, health-oriented, and security-conscious approach to drug control in Nigeria,” Touré stated.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mr. Charles Ebuebu, commended the Agency’s leadership under the stewardship of Marwa for the remarkable initiative.
Ebuebu emphasised that the establishment of Clean Beat 91.5FM represents far more than the launch of another radio station, describing it as a strategic deployment of broadcasting as an instrument of national orientation, behavioural change, youth engagement, and social transformation.
“I am particularly encouraged by the station’s focus on youth engagement. Nigeria has one of the youngest populations in the world and our greatest long-term national investment must remain the protection, education and empowerment of our young people. The fight against substance abuse is therefore not simply a law enforcement responsibility. It is a national developmental imperative,” he asserted.
The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, who was represented by Mr. Bala Musa, also commended the initiative, describing the radio station as a platform that would enhance positive attitudinal change and citizen reorientation.
