WORLD DRUG DAY 2026: AFRCMIL URGES NDLEA TO ADOPT WHISTLEBLOWING IN ITS ANTI-DRUG TRAFFICKING CAMPAIGN, SAYS READY TO COLLABORATE

African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) has urged the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to adopt whistleblowing as a strategy for combating drug abuse and illicit trafficking in Nigeria.
The advice was given by Godwin Onyeacholerm, AFRICMIL’s Programme Manager, who was a guest at The Roundtable, a radio show on Clean Beat 91.5 FM. The show was in commemoration of the World Drug Day which is observed annually on June 26, and hosted by Tokunboh Wright.
According to Onyeacholem, “Whistleblowing is the best method of exposing illegal conduct, so encouraging citizens to blow the whistle on drug crime would fetch NDLEA improved outcomes in its difficult task of curbing drug abuse and illicit trafficking in society.” He noted that Codeine, Tramadol, “Colorado, Mkpuru mmiri” are dangerous drugs that have continued to hurt students and youth.
He said students who report anonymously the use of such drugs to the right authorities are not “snitching” but protecting their schools and communities. Those who report the illegal conduct are engaged in whistleblowing, not “snitching.” Civil society and the media thus have a duty to help reframe the narrative from “snitching” to an act of patriotism that benefits the public.
Noting that because drug abuse and illicit trafficking thrive in silence, Onyeacholem stressed the effectiveness of whistleblowing in breaking the silence by turning students, staff, patients, and neighbours into early warning sensors. In submitting their reports, people possibly include photos or videos, screenshots, and details such as date, time, exact location, description of person and vehicle plate number. “It’s always dangerous to take photos, so it’s best to just write down details immediately,” he stated.
He said AFRICMIL is ready to work with NDLEA to sensitize the public on the importance of whistleblowing in the campaign against drug abuse and illicit trafficking in Nigeria.
Clean Beat 91.5FM is a radio station in Abuja set up by the NDLEA as part of the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, especially to counter the glamour around illicit drug use in pop culture and direct positive messaging towards the Nigerian youth.