By By Elizabeth Ugbo
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has launched a nationwide counselor training programme in Jos, Plateau State. The programme began at the NDLEA Academy and targets over 100 counselors from formations across Nigeria. The Directorate of Counseling, Treatment and Rehabilitation (DCTR) coordinates the exercise. It aims to standardize treatment practices, improve clinical skills, and strengthen drug demand reduction.
NDLEA Begins Counselor Training in Jos
The training marks the agency’s first major counselor capacity-building programme in several years. Participants welcomed the initiative as a boost to professional development within the counseling workforce.
The programme focuses on modern approaches to substance use disorders. It also addresses the growing challenges linked to emerging psychoactive substances.
Furthermore, the training seeks to improve treatment outcomes across NDLEA rehabilitation facilities.
Marwa Highlights Need for Modern Treatment Skills
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), stressed the importance of the programme.
Director of Counseling, Treatment and Rehabilitation, ACGN Bashir Ibrahim, represented Marwa at the opening session.
Marwa said the training would help restore staff morale and strengthen professional skills. He also highlighted the need for modern therapeutic tools.
According to him, the programme reaffirms the rehabilitation pillar of NDLEA’s mandate.
He added that clients at NDLEA facilities deserve evidence-based and quality treatment.
Key Objectives of the NDLEA Training
The agency outlined several goals for the capacity-building exercise.
These objectives include:
- Standardizing counseling protocols across state rehabilitation facilities.
- Improving clinical skills for emerging psychoactive substances.
- Addressing substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders.
- Aligning rehabilitation practices with national and global standards.
- Strengthening professional ethics and client confidentiality.
- Improving quality assurance across rehabilitation facilities.
- Enhancing data management for evidence-based policymaking.
- Promoting continuous professional development through peer review.
- Strengthening clinical supervision among counselors.
- Improving rehabilitation outcomes through consistent service delivery.
NDLEA Targets Better Rehabilitation Outcomes
The agency said the programme will create a stronger counseling workforce nationwide.
It will also help counselors respond to changing drug-related challenges.
In addition, NDLEA expects the training to improve the quality of care. It should also reduce differences in service delivery across its facilities.
Marwa said the agency remains committed to investing in staff development.
He noted that skilled personnel remain central to Nigeria’s drug demand reduction efforts.
Strengthening Nigeria’s Drug Rehabilitation System
The training forms part of NDLEA’s broader approach to drug control.
The agency combines drug supply reduction with demand reduction measures. Therefore, effective counseling remains vital to long-term rehabilitation.
The latest programme also seeks to strengthen Nigeria’s drug treatment system.
Through continued professional development, NDLEA aims to provide more consistent and evidence-based rehabilitation services nationwide.
