The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and MTN Foundation on Tuesday unveiled expanded interventions under the Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP), aimed at combating substance abuse among Nigerian youths.
The event, held at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Enugu, was themed: “The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovation Responses.”
Speaking, the Executive Director of MTN Foundation, Mrs. Odunayo Sanya, said the organization’s intervention was driven by growing concerns over the increasing vulnerability of young people to drug abuse and its devastating impact on families and society.
Sanya noted that the foundation’s anti-drug advocacy aligns with its focus on youth development, capacity building, and economic empowerment, emphasizing that substance abuse remains a major threat to Nigeria’s future human capital.
According to her, the foundation’s ASAP initiative, launched in 2019, has reached more than 50,000 secondary school students nationwide, trained over 1,500 teachers, and indirectly impacted millions of Nigerians through awareness campaigns.
She explained that the programme aims to prevent first-time drug use among young people, particularly secondary school students, while empowering student ambassadors to spread anti-drug messages within their communities.
Sanya added that the foundation has sustained partnerships with the NDLEA, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and other relevant government agencies to expand awareness, treatment support, and community engagement efforts.
She stated, “We envision a Nigeria where no individual or community is left behind.”
She also highlighted that MTN Foundation has invested about N33 billion in social interventions across various sectors, impacting millions of Nigerians.
In addition, she mentioned interventions in Enugu State, including ICT and business skills training for youths, health facility upgrades, teacher development programmes, and women’s empowerment initiatives.
In his remarks, Mr. Owunwa Ibezimako, NDLEA Deputy Commander of Narcotics and Deputy Commander of the Drug Demand Reduction Directorate (DDRD), warned that drug abuse remains a major enabler of organized crime in Nigeria.
He explained that illicit drug trafficking and consumption continue to fuel criminal activities nationwide, with Nigeria increasingly serving as a transit route for dangerous substances.
Ibezimako described drug-related crime as a growing national security concern and commended MTN Foundation for partnering with the agency through the ASAP programme.
He said the initiative is a strategic intervention focused on awareness creation, education, and the reintegration of affected persons.
He also disclosed that a recent survey in Enugu State, conducted in collaboration with UNODC, revealed that over 360,000 youths were involved in drug use.
According to the deputy commander, this indicates a prevalence rate of 13.4% among young people in the state.
He called for sustained collaboration among stakeholders—including government agencies, development partners, and civil society—to strengthen prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation programs.
Representing Gov. Peter Mbah, Secretary to the Enugu State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, described substance abuse as not only a health issue but also a development, education, security, and social challenge.
Onyia stated that the state government has prioritized youth development through investments in education, healthcare, and human capital development, including the ongoing construction of 267 Smart Green Schools across the state.
He emphasized that prevention remains the most effective strategy against substance abuse, noting that educated, empowered, and engaged youths are less susceptible to drug abuse and criminal influence.
The SSG praised MTN Foundation’s anti-drug initiative as a vital support for government efforts, especially in awareness creation, teacher capacity building, and youth sensitization.
He further urged stakeholders to adopt a whole-of-society approach involving parents, schools, religious organizations, traditional institutions, security agencies, and civil society to address the menace of drug abuse.
