President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to repeal Nigeria’s existing National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act and Indian Hemp Act, proposing a new legal framework to strengthen the country’s fight against illicit drugs.
Key Highlights
- Tinubu transmits the NDLEA Bill 2026 to the Senate for consideration and passage.
- The bill seeks to repeal the NDLEA Act and the Indian Hemp Act, 2004.
- It covers cultivation, processing, sale, trafficking and use of hard drugs.
- The proposal would empower the NDLEA to investigate suspected drug offenders.
- Akpabio refers the bill to the Senate Committee on Rules and Business.
Tinubu transmitted the NDLEA Bill 2026 to the Senate for consideration and passage into law, with the proposal seeking to replace the two existing laws with a consolidated framework for drug enforcement.
The president’s letter was read during plenary on Tuesday, by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. In the letter, Tinubu said the bill was submitted in accordance with Section 58(2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
The proposed legislation seeks to repeal the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, and the Indian Hemp Act, 2004.
What The New Drug Law Bill Covers
According to the president, the bill is intended to strengthen the legal framework governing the prevention and enforcement of offences involving illicit drugs.
It covers the cultivation, processing, sale, trafficking and use of hard drugs, while also seeking to empower the NDLEA to investigate individuals suspected of involvement in drug-related activities.
The proposal is expected to provide the basis for a review of the existing legal provisions governing the agency’s operations and Nigeria’s response to drug-related offences.
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Tinubu expressed confidence that the lawmakers would give the bill expeditious consideration.
“While looking forward to the usual expeditious consideration of this submission, please accept, Distinguished Senate president and distinguished senators, the assurances of my highest consideration,” he wrote.
Following the presentation of the letter, Akpabio referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Rules and Business for further legislative action.
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