The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has disclosed that more than 360,000 young people in Enugu State are actively engaged in hard drug consumption, representing approximately 13.4 percent of the state's youth population. This finding emerged from a recent survey conducted in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) across the state. The agency expressed concern that active drug use has extended beyond tertiary institutions to secondary and even primary schools.
The revelation was made during the MTN Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP) Stakeholders' Conference held at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Enugu. The event was organized in partnership with the UNODC and the NDLEA under the theme "It's Everyone's Fight." At the same conference, the MTN Foundation announced that it has invested over N33 billion in various development initiatives across Nigeria, focusing on education, health, and youth welfare.
Alarming Drug Abuse Situation
Deputy Commander of Narcotics and Drug Demand Reduction at the NDLEA, Owunwa Ibezimako, described the drug abuse situation as alarming and warned that drugs remain a major driver of organized crime and insecurity. "Drugs and crime are not strange bedfellows. For every organized crime in Nigeria, drugs are either the enablers or enhancers. This conference could not have come at a better time," Ibezimako stated.
The NDLEA official noted that under the leadership of the agency's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd.), initiatives such as the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign and the Save Our Families initiative have strengthened drug demand reduction efforts nationwide. He also revealed that a national policy mandating drug tests for students seeking admission into tertiary institutions and for newly employed government workers has been implemented. Additionally, the Enugu State Command is pursuing the introduction of a drug awareness and prevention curriculum in schools.
MTN Foundation's Investment in Youth Development
Executive Director of the MTN Foundation, Mrs. Odunayo Sanya, stated that the foundation's N33 billion investment since its establishment has supported interventions aimed at adding value to the lives of ordinary Nigerians. Sanya explained that the foundation was created to drive social investments aligned with Nigeria's development priorities and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, with a special focus on health, capacity building, and economic empowerment.
She emphasized that youth development remains a strategic priority for the foundation, stressing that Nigeria's youthful population represents one of the country's greatest assets and requires sustained investments in education, skills acquisition, and leadership development. "Our future lies in our young people. That is why youth development remains a strategic focus for us. We believe that investing in people is the most sustainable way to drive national growth and development," she stated.
Sanya explained that the MTN Anti-Substance Abuse Programme, launched in 2019 in partnership with the NDLEA and UNODC, was designed to reduce first-time substance abuse among young Nigerians through awareness campaigns, advocacy, and school-based interventions. The programme has reached more than 50,000 students nationwide, trained over 1,500 teachers, and created a network of anti-substance abuse ambassadors. Public awareness campaigns have reached over 100 million Nigerians.
She further highlighted the foundation's investments in digital empowerment through the MTN Skills Academy and ICT and Business Skills Training Programme, which provide free technology and entrepreneurship training for young Nigerians. Additionally, the foundation revitalized 49 primary healthcare centres across Nigeria in the past year, providing healthcare access to more than 500,000 people, supporting the delivery of about 12,000 babies, and facilitating the immunization of over 200,000 children.
Governor Calls for Collective Response
Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah stated that substance abuse should be treated not only as a health issue but also as a development, security, educational, and social challenge requiring a collective response. Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, he commended the MTN Foundation, NDLEA, UNODC, educational institutions, civil society groups, and community leaders for joining forces against substance abuse. He stressed that the problem demands innovation, collaboration, education, and sustained commitment from all stakeholders.
Governor Mbah urged society to embrace rehabilitation rather than stigmatization of individuals battling addiction, insisting that affected persons need support, counseling, and reintegration. He reaffirmed his administration's commitment to youth development, education, healthcare, and human capital advancement as key strategies for preventing substance abuse.
Stakeholders' Recommendations
Stakeholders at the event emphasized the need for increased awareness and the creation of safe spaces where young people can access credible information, seek help without fear, and develop resilience against negative influences as a way to check the increasing trend. They also called for more training for those who handle youths and an increase in the number of counselors in various educational institutions to stem the tide.
