Opeyemi Bamidele, majority leader of the senate
Opeyemi Bamidele, the senate leader, says the rejection of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 by President Bola Tinubu is not the end of the proposed law.
In June 2025, Tinubu declined assent to the bill, citing its conflict with section 58(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The president explained that the proposed law sought to allow the NDLEA to retain a portion of proceeds from drug-related crimes, whereas currently, all proceeds must be paid into the confiscated and forfeited properties account.
Speaking in Abuja on Monday during a during a workshop organised by the NHRC, Bamidele said the fact that the president declined assent “does not mean the bill cannot be brought again if the section that conflicts with the constitution is substantially addressed.”
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The workshop, titled “Towards a comprehensive drug harm reduction strategy in Nigeria: Legislative perspectives and opportunities”, was convened to improve drug laws and policies to ensure they are not detrimental to the health and well-being of people who use drugs and their communities.
Bamidele, represented by Charles Luri-Bala, his chief of staff, commended the commission and its strategic partners for putting the event together.
He added that the senate “recognises that the challenges posed by illicit drug use require a multi-sectoral approach that respects the fundamental rights of all persons, particularly those in vulnerable populations.”
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Bamidele urged the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to work together to pursue a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s anti-drug war regime.
“At the national assembly, we believe that an effective drug strategy must shift away from overly punitive policies that only exacerbate stigma to a comprehensive approach that prioritises treatment, rehabilitation, and social reintegration,” he said.
“These are the issues that informed the decision of the 10th national assembly to amend the National Drug Law Enforcement Act, 2004. But Mr President declined assent to the bill because it conflicted with Section 58(4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”
Bamidele urged stakeholders to work together, noting that the bill, if eventually enacted, will revolutionise the country’s antidrug war and contribute to national development.
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He assured participants that lawmakers “are committed to reviewing and supporting an amendment to the legislation that would provide adequate legal and institutional backing for evidence‑based drug‑harm‑reduction strategies.”
“The insights and recommendations generated from this workshop, particularly from the legal and specialist perspectives, will be invaluable for the national assembly as we consider necessary policy reforms,” the senate leader said.
