T HE Caleb University Centre for Counselling and Development Services, in collaboration with the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) Club, held a two-day Campus Mental Health Awareness and War Against Drug Abuse Programme, as part of activities commemorating the 2026 World Mental Health Day.

On the first day, there was an awareness rally on campus with the team distributing flyers and engaging students and staff on mental health and drug abuse. The rally terminated at the Administrative Block, where the University Bursar, Mr Adesina Abubakre, who represented the Vice-Chancellor, emphasised the importance of mental wellness and maintaining a drug-free campus environment for sustained academic excellence. He commended the Centre for its efforts in promoting mental wellness and working towards a drug-free university.

Day two featured a mental health seminar titled “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change.” The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Olalekan Asikhia, represented by the Dean of Student Affairs, Prof Adetayo Olorunlana, noted that the programme was an important part of the university’s commitment to building the total person. The programme featured mental health talks, fastest finger games, a panel session, three keynote presentations, a mental health commitment session and the inauguration of student volunteers into the Students’ Community.

The first speaker, Dr Dokun Adedeji, who spoke on “Actualising a Drug-Free Caleb University: Stakeholders and Responsibilities”, emphasised that achieving a drug-free university requires honesty about substance use and active involvement of students, parents and the university management.

Adedeji, the Chief Executive Officer of Compassionate Care Recovery Initiative (CCRI), highlighted the need to address drug misuse as both a behavioural and a public health concern, rather than relying on denial or punishment alone.

The second speaker, Dr Ayodeji Ajayi, a clinical psychologist from the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, spoke on “Mental Health Challenges in Nigeria: A Reality and Ticking Time Bomb.” He described youth mental health challenges in Nigeria as an urgent public health concern requiring immediate and collective action. The third speaker, Dr Sanmi Johnson Ibidapo, Acting Director, Centre for Counselling and Development Services, spoke on youth mental health awareness tips. He argued that mental health is essential to students’ wellbeing, academic success and future potential, noting that mental health challenges can affect anyone, regardless of academic performance or outward appearance. He, therefore, encouraged students to recognise persistent changes in their emotions, behaviour, thinking and physical wellbeing.

The programme also featured a students’ panel session, anchored by Ayoola Lasebikan, a 400-level student of the Department of Psychology. Mrs Ola Asags, a drug-abuse survivor, also shared her personal story to encourage students to stay drug-free and seek help if already involved in drug use. She has remained drug-free for over 21 years since rehabilitation.