The Federal Government will take full ownership and provide leadership for the National Substance Use Survey, as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the MTN Nigeria Foundation formalised their partnership on the initiative, Vice President Kashim Shettima pledged on Wednesday.

This is as a consultant neurologist at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Dr Temitope Farombi, has called on the Federal Government to enforce stricter regulation of drug distribution across the country, warning that Nigeria’s growing substance abuse crisis is worsening mental health conditions, particularly among young people.

Speaking at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during the signing of the letter of acceptance for cooperation on the survey, Shettima described the project as critical to Nigeria’s future, stressing that its outcome must directly inform policy and action.

To drive implementation, Shettima announced the establishment of a Project Management Office (PMO) within his office to coordinate government participation across all stages of the project, including questionnaire design, field operations, inter-agency collaboration, and deployment of findings.

Executive Director of the MTN Nigeria Foundation, Odunayo Sanya, said the initiative is aimed at strengthening collaboration with the Federal Government to safeguard Nigeria’s youth population.

Farombi, who is the founder of Brain Centre Neurocritical and Rehabilitation Centre, Ibadan, raised the concern while speaking with The Guardian on the increasing pressure faced by individuals, especially the youth.

The King’s College, London-trained brain expert noted that many are increasingly resorting to substance use as a coping mechanism for life challenges, economic hardship, and social pressure.

According to her, peer influence, social media trends, and the desire for acceptance continue to fuel rising drug use among adolescents and young adults, with harmful consequences on brain function and overall well-being.