Tinubu Seeks Tougher Drug Laws, Wider Transport Safety Checks

President Bola Tinubu has asked the National Assembly to consider three bills aimed at strengthening drug enforcement, expanding transport accident investigations and reforming public service training.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, read the President’s letters during yesterday’s plenary. Tinubu urged lawmakers to expedite consideration of the proposed legislation.

One of the bills seeks to overhaul the legal framework governing the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and strengthen its powers to combat illicit drugs.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Bill, 2026, proposes repealing the existing NDLEA Act, Cap N30, and the Indian Hemp Act, Cap 16, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The proposed law would provide a consolidated framework for tackling the cultivation, processing, sale, trafficking and use of illicit drugs.

It would also empower the agency to investigate suspected involvement in drug-related activities. The proposal would give lawmakers an opportunity to review existing provisions and strengthen the agency’s enforcement powers.

In a separate request, Tinubu sought approval for the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which would expand the agency’s responsibilities beyond aviation.

The bill seeks to amend the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (Establishment) Act, No. 35 of 2022, and establish the Bureau as an independent authority for investigating safety incidents across different transport sectors.

Under the proposed changes, the Bureau would investigate incidents involving rail, maritime and other forms of transport, alongside aviation accidents.

The legislation also proposes transferring supervisory oversight of the Bureau to the Presidency. It would strengthen the agency’s institutional, operational and administrative powers.

The expanded mandate would provide a legal framework for investigating safety incidents across multiple transport systems. It could also widen the scope of official inquiries into accidents beyond the aviation sector.

Tinubu’s third proposal seeks to reform leadership development and professional training across the public service.

The National School of Government Bill, 2026, proposes establishing a new institution to improve leadership skills, policy delivery and executive capacity.

It would repeal the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria Act, Cap A4, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and replace it with a new legal framework.

The proposed National School of Government, Nigeria, would train public officials to implement government policies and programmes more effectively.

It would also provide a national framework for executive training and efforts to improve public administration.

The three bills cover drug enforcement, transport safety investigations and the development of leadership skills within government.

Tinubu urged the lawmakers to give the proposals speedy consideration. However, the bills must secure legislative approval before their provisions can become law.