The MTN Foundation, alongside key stakeholders including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), academia, and civil society groups, has intensified efforts in the fight against substance abuse in Nigeria.
At the 2025 edition of its flagship Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP), held at the University of Lagos, partners came together to strengthen advocacy for prevention-focused strategies.
The campaign aligned with the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking and featured a symbolic walk against drug abuse that attracted a diverse crowd, from elderly citizens to students and NYSC members, united in the mission to curb drug misuse among Nigerian youths.
Lagos State First Lady, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, in a goodwill message, described the gathering as a critical intervention amid rising concerns over the role of substance abuse in breaking down families and endangering the health and future of the nation’s youth.
She stressed that prevention must take precedence over rehabilitation, warning that even children as young as five are being exposed to harmful substances without understanding the long-term consequences.
Sanwo-Olu further highlighted the emotional toll on families and the lack of adequate rehabilitation infrastructure. She disclosed that some parents, overwhelmed by their children’s behavioural or psychological issues, had even asked authorities to arrest them.
However, she emphasised that criminalisation is not the answer. Instead, she called for a holistic and collaborative response that bridges the gap between healthcare and security systems and involves parents, teachers, government, and community stakeholders.
Chairman of the MTN Foundation, Dr Mosun Belo-Olusoga, reiterated the programme’s focus on early intervention.
She said the campaign is structured to stop drug abuse before it starts, by equipping young people with mental resilience to resist peer pressure and substance experimentation.
She noted that the initiative stems from the foundation’s longstanding commitment to youth development, which emphasises mental, physical, and social well-being.
According to Belo-Olusoga, substance abuse often starts in the home, either through peer influence or the behaviour children observe from adults. She urged parents to take the lead in educating their children, adding that drug prevention must begin at the family level for any campaign to be effective.
The director of MTN Foundation and public health advocate, Prof. Ifeoma Okoye, also called for grassroots-level sensitisation. Reflecting on her experience in cancer and addiction awareness, she described the anti-drug walk as both symbolic and strategic.
She expressed concern about the use of harmful and unconventional substances in rural areas, such as lizard faeces and fermented herbs, stressing that education must reach even the most remote communities.
Okoye emphasised that drug abuse is not exclusive to urban areas or common narcotics, and must be addressed in homes, classrooms, and communities alike. She identified NYSC members as critical partners in spreading the anti-drug message to all 774 local government areas of Nigeria.
She urged a return to communal responsibility for child welfare. According to her, every child should be seen as a collective responsibility, and communities must not hesitate to speak up or intervene when a child is at risk.
