The MTN Foundation has reiterated its dedication to combating substance abuse among Nigerian youth by fostering stronger stakeholder collaboration, education, and community engagement. This was highlighted during a State Stakeholders’ Engagement in Enugu under its Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP).
Stakeholders Unite Against Drug Abuse
The event brought together government officials, educators, community leaders, development partners, and youth advocates. It is part of the 2026 edition of ASAP, the Foundation's flagship initiative aimed at preventing substance abuse through awareness and early intervention.
The programme recently earned national recognition when Vice President Kashim Shettima commended the MTN Foundation for its efforts in addressing adolescent drug abuse. This commendation came through the ongoing National Substance Use Survey conducted in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The Vice President described the initiative as a vital contribution to protecting Nigeria's future and strengthening evidence-based responses to substance abuse.
Alarming Statistics in Enugu
Data presented at the engagement underscored the urgency of such interventions. It revealed that over 360,000 youths in Enugu State, roughly 13.4% of the state's youth population, are actively involved in drug use. To enhance effective responses, the MTN Foundation and UNODC are conducting a National Substance Use Survey to gather grassroots data on the prevalence, patterns, and drivers of substance abuse, particularly among secondary school students.
Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, praised the MTN Foundation for its sustained commitment to youth development and the fight against substance abuse. “The MTN Foundation’s investment in youth development and the fight against substance abuse aligns directly with our administration’s transformational agenda. Initiatives like ASAP are exactly the kind of partnerships that move the needle on national development,” Onyia stated. He called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, the private sector, development partners, and civil society organizations, emphasizing that addressing substance abuse requires a collective and sustained response.
Foundation's Commitment
Executive Director of the MTN Foundation, Odunayo Sanya, said the Foundation remains committed to empowering young Nigerians with the knowledge and support needed to make informed decisions and resist substance abuse. She noted that the Foundation, established in 2004 and fully funded by MTN Nigeria, has committed approximately ₦33 billion to developmental projects across Nigeria. These efforts have directly impacted over 33 million Nigerians and reached more than 100 million people through advocacy and awareness campaigns.
According to Sanya, ASAP was launched in 2019 in partnership with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and UNODC. Its goal is to reduce first-time drug use among young Nigerians through preventive education, stakeholder engagement, and school-based interventions. “We have reached over 50,000 students across the country and trained about 1,556 teachers as part of our efforts to create anti-drug ambassadors in schools and communities,” she said.
Sanya described substance abuse as a major threat to families, communities, and national development, noting that its impact extends far beyond the individual. “For us at the MTN Foundation, saving even one young person from substance abuse is a worthwhile achievement. The consequences go beyond the individual and affect families, communities, and the nation at large,” she stated.
Future Plans
She disclosed that the Foundation plans to reach more than 30,000 additional students in 2026 through expanded stakeholder engagements, teacher training programmes, school-based interventions, and community awareness campaigns. Sanya also called on parents, educators, faith leaders, community influencers, and policymakers to remain actively involved in safeguarding young Nigerians from the dangers of substance abuse and creating environments that support positive choices and healthy development.
Since its launch in 2019, ASAP has reached thousands of students and educators across Nigeria, contributing to national efforts to prevent substance abuse and promote healthier outcomes for young people.
