A collaborative effort between MTN Nigeria, the Kwara State government, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has launched a drug prevention programme targeting over 86,400 public secondary school students and 1,440 teachers across 12 states.
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The initiative was unveiled on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ workshop on the implementation of the Unplugged Teachers Training on drug prevention, held in the Kwara State capital as part of efforts to combat rising substance abuse among Nigerian youth.
Alarming Statistics Drive Urgent Action
UNODC representative Maria Ilugbuhi presented sobering statistics that underscore the scale of Nigeria’s drug abuse crisis, revealing that one in seven Nigerians engages in drug use, with females accounting for one in four drug users nationwide.
“South West Nigeria has the highest number of drug users in the country,” Ilugbuhi disclosed, citing recent survey data. A comprehensive study of 84,000 youth conducted by UNICEF and UNODC found that 50 percent of respondents personally knew someone who uses drugs, highlighting the widespread nature of the problem.
The UNODC official warned of an impending crisis if immediate action is not taken. “By 2030, the number would increase by 40 percent,” she cautioned, noting that comprehensive prevention strategies are essential to avert this projected surge across Africa.
Ilugbuhi identified socioeconomic, cultural, and health-related factors as primary contributors to the substance abuse epidemic, stressing that “if we are going to avert this estimated increase, we must invest heavily in drug prevention.”
MTN’s Prevention-Focused Approach
Manager of Sales and Trade Development for MTN’s Kwara area, Chinyere Ikechi, outlined the telecommunications giant’s multifaceted approach to youth substance abuse prevention, stressing investment in prevention rather than treatment.
“We encourage them to participate in our quiz competition; facilitate a stakeholders’ workshop and a three-day training for 60 secondary school teachers in Kwara and Kaduna; and sensitise our communities through outreaches in collaboration with the National Youth Service Corps,” Ikechi explained.
The MTN representative described the poor and uncertain conditions facing Nigerian youth as the driving force behind the foundation’s intervention, noting that the company has implemented various programmes to discourage reliance on banned substances through educational competitions in primary and secondary schools.
The initiative’s theme, “Unplugged Teachers Training on Drug Prevention in Kwara and Kaduna States,” aims to create a sustainable impact through trained educators who will serve as ongoing advocates and monitors of the programme’s effectiveness.
Digital Framework Development
Ikechi revealed that the training programme is designed to “pave the way for a digital framework to be developed because the need to scale impact on this subject matter is pertinent.” This technological component reflects MTN’s commitment to leveraging its telecommunications expertise in addressing social challenges.
The post-training activities will focus on sustained engagement and monitoring by trained teachers, with students expected to become “advocates/ambassadors of this initiative,” according to the MTN official.
Government Support and Recognition
Representing Governor Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Senior Adviser Alhaji Saadu Salahu commended MTN’s commitment to creating a drug-free society while acknowledging the critical role teachers play in shaping future leaders.
The governor’s representative directly linked the country’s security challenges to drug addiction, charging teachers to support state government interventions in combating substance abuse. He also praised community policing operatives for their efforts in reducing crime and criminality across the state.
Educational Prevention Strategy
Special Assistant to the Governor on Drug Abuse Prevention and Control, Aileru Olamileka, pinpointed the workshop’s significance as part of the globally recognised Unplugged Teachers Training Programme, a school-based prevention initiative.
“By equipping our teachers with knowledge, skills, and strategies to educate students about the dangers of drug use, we are investing in prevention rather than cure, in education rather than rehabilitation,” Olamileka noted during his welcome address.
Comprehensive Multi-State Impact
The programme’s scope across 12 states, including Kwara, is to ensure coordinated regional responses rather than isolated local efforts.
The collaboration between private sector resources, international expertise, government support, and law enforcement creates a comprehensive framework that addresses both immediate educational needs and long-term prevention strategies.
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