The Kano State Government is partnering with the House of Representatives ad hoc Committee on Drugs and Illicit Trafficking to host the North-West Regional Summit on Drug Abuse, Drug Trafficking, Tobacco and Alcohol Control.

The summit, scheduled to be held later this year in Kano, is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s response to the growing incidence of substance abuse, particularly among young people.

It is expected to bring together policymakers, security agencies, health professionals, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to chart a coordinated response to the menace.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the chairman of the committee, Oluwatimehin Adelegbe, said the summit formed part of the committee’s nationwide advocacy initiative to generate practical recommendations for tackling drug abuse, illicit trafficking and other related social vices.

Adelegbe, who was represented during a visit to Kano by the member representing Sumaila/Takai Federal Constituency, Rabiu Yusuf, commended Governor Abba Yusuf for agreeing to host the North-West edition of the summit.

“We appreciate Governor Yusuf for demonstrating visionary leadership by partnering with the National Assembly to host this important regional summit.

“His decision reflects a strong commitment to safeguarding the future of our young people and positioning Kano State at the forefront of the campaign against one of Nigeria’s most pressing social and public health challenges,” he said.

He said Kano was chosen because of its strategic location, large population, economic importance and longstanding leadership role in Northern Nigeria.

According to him, the collaboration went beyond hosting a summit and represented “a strategic alliance between the Kano State Government and the National Assembly to develop sustainable legislative, policy, community and institutional responses capable of reducing the prevalence of drug abuse and related social vices across the North-West.”

Adelegbe stressed that addressing drug abuse required more than law enforcement.

“The fight against drug abuse and trafficking cannot be left to security agencies alone.

“It demands a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach involving legislation, prevention, education, rehabilitation, community mobilisation and strategic partnerships,” he said.

He expressed confidence that the summit would produce practical recommendations to strengthen Nigeria’s legal framework while positioning Kano as a model for evidence-based interventions and regional collaboration.

During the visit, the committee also presented its proposed national strategy on drug abuse, illicit drug trafficking, tobacco use and alcohol-related harm to the Kano State Government.

Responding on behalf of the governor, the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Ibrahim, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to ensuring the successful hosting of the summit.

“The Kano State Government is fully prepared to collaborate with the National Assembly in hosting this summit and supporting broader efforts aimed at reducing drug abuse, strengthening public health interventions and protecting our communities,” Ibrahim said.

He added that the state government remained committed to initiatives that promote youth development, community safety and improved public health outcomes.

As part of its engagement in Kano, the House committee held separate consultations with the Kano State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, where discussions focused on emerging drug trafficking patterns, enforcement challenges, prevention efforts and areas requiring stronger institutional collaboration.

The delegation also visited the Kano Reformatory Centre in Kiru, where the coordinator, Cheryl Kwagga, briefed members on the centre’s rehabilitation programmes, vocational training initiatives, operational challenges and expansion plans.

The lawmakers interacted with recovering clients and observed rehabilitation and reintegration activities.

They also met with members of the Kano State House of Assembly to explore areas of legislative collaboration ahead of the summit.

The delegation further paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, to seek the support of the Kano Emirate Council in mobilising traditional institutions and communities for the regional gathering.

The planned summit comes amid growing concern over the rising prevalence of substance abuse, particularly among young Nigerians.

Successive reports by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have identified the North-West as one of the regions requiring sustained intervention through prevention, rehabilitation, stronger enforcement and public awareness.

The House committee expressed optimism that the Kano summit would provide a platform for harmonising regional responses, strengthening existing laws and developing practical policy recommendations to curb drug abuse, illicit trafficking, tobacco use and alcohol-related harm across the North-West and the country.