World Drug Day 2025: MTN, NDLEA, UNODC Unite to Tackle Drug Abuse Among Nigerian Youth

By Iyojo Ameh

The MTN Foundation, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) joined forces on June 26, 2025, to commemorate World Drug Day, focusing on preventing substance abuse among Nigerian youth.

Held at the Convocation Square on the University of Abuja’s Gwagwalada campus, the event featured an advocacy walk to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and illicit trafficking. The theme for this year’s observance was “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention,” accompanied by the slogan “Break the Cycle (#StopOrganizedCrime).”

The event attracted a wide range of participants, including officials from the NDLEA, UNODC, the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), the Federal Ministry of Education (FMOE), the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), security agencies, the Federal Road Safety Corps, civil society organizations (CSOs), Youth Corps members, students, and the media.

Shadrach Haruna, a representative from the NDLEA, emphasized the importance of collaboration to reduce drug abuse, noting that “if you prevent drug use and drug trafficking, it will be so clear that we don’t need to do enforcement.” Haruna explained that the focus on prevention through reducing drug supply and effective enforcement measures plays a critical role in addressing the issue.

He further stated that the event’s location at the university was strategic, as it targets the youth population—many of whom are vulnerable to substance abuse. “We start the awareness from a university to show that we are concerned about the youth, and if we can prevent drug use among them, we can reduce drug abuse by up to 75% in the country,” Haruna said.

Haruna also pointed out that the NDLEA’s efforts are starting to yield positive results, citing the reduction in the number of Nigerian drug traffickers imprisoned in countries like Thailand and Singapore. “Last year, the ambassador of Thailand to Nigeria informed us that the Nigerian population in their prisons had significantly decreased, showing that our efforts are making a difference,” he added.

In 2018, the UN estimated that approximately 14.7 million Nigerians were involved in drug use, with the majority being youth.

Odunayo Sanya, Executive Director of the MTN Foundation, spoke about the foundation’s Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP), launched in 2019. Sanya highlighted that with approximately 70% of Nigeria’s population under the age of 25, addressing the rising drug abuse statistics is crucial for the nation’s future. “If nothing is done, we are in danger as a nation,” she warned.

Sanya shared that through ASAP, the MTN Foundation has reached nearly 30,000 students in public schools across Nigeria’s six geopolitical regions, providing information on the dangers of drug abuse and offering tools to make better life choices. The foundation has also partnered with the John Maxwell Foundation to instill leadership skills and resilience in students. Feedback from teachers and parents indicates that the initiative is already having a positive impact on the students, with some schools reporting a decrease in delinquency.

Pharmacist Henrietta Bakura-Onyeneke, Director of the Narcotics and Drug Abuse Division at the Federal Ministry of Health, praised the event as a step in the right direction, emphasizing the importance of awareness in combatting the growing drug abuse problem. “Awareness is one of the most important strategies to inform people about the negative consequences of drug use,” she said, adding that this year’s theme “Invest in Prevention” is key to addressing the issue effectively.

Bakura-Onyeneke also advised youth to focus on patience and long-term goals, encouraging them to avoid shortcuts and not fall prey to the lure of quick solutions. “Entrepreneurship should be expanded to offer alternative pathways for success,” she said, highlighting that not all young people will find fulfillment in traditional white-collar jobs.

The event also resonated with students. Opai Bethel, the SUG Director of Social Affairs at the University of Abuja, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “I’m very happy because this is the first time I’m witnessing this kind of program, where students are engaged. I will support it and say no to drug abuse.”

John Williams, a 300-level Sociology student and Secretary General of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) at the University of Abuja, commended the initiative, emphasizing the need for collective efforts to combat substance abuse. “It’s a fight that everyone must be involved in,” he said, noting that the university administration has been instrumental in controlling the rate of drug abuse on campus.

Owuka Chinemere Michael, a 300-level Political Science student and SUG Provost, described the initiative as “wonderful” and appreciated the outreach efforts, including awareness creation on campus the day before the main event.

The advocacy walk was simultaneously held in Lagos, Kano, and Abuja as part of a nationwide effort to raise awareness and promote the fight against drug abuse.

This year’s World Drug Day serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for concerted efforts to prevent drug abuse and support the well-being of Nigerian youth.