Drugs: MTN Foundation Targets 2m Students in Anti-Substance Abuse Campaign

By David Adanu

ABUJA: The MTN Foundation has said it is scaling up its anti-drug abuse campaign to reach two million students nationwide, as part of its urgent response to the growing threat of substance abuse among young Nigerians.

Speaking at the 2025 Advocacy Walk at the University of Abuja, Executive Director of MTN Foundation, Odunayo Sanya, said the Foundation’s Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP) is driven by the alarming reality that 70% of Nigeria’s population is under 25 and increasingly vulnerable to drug addiction.

“The statistics from the UNODC are clear: substance abuse is rising. But rather than wait until rehabilitation is needed, we focus on prevention,” Sanya said.

“The inspiration behind ASAP is the Nigerian youth. We want to help create a future where they can thrive, free of the burden of drugs,” she added.

Since its launch in 2019, ASAP has partnered with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the John Maxwell Foundation to reach young people with a twofold approach: raising awareness about substance abuse and building leadership skills for resilience.

Last year alone, the programme engaged 30,000 students across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and trained over 1,000 teachers. Parents and educators have since reported lower levels of indiscipline and greater awareness among students.

“We don’t stop at classrooms. We also support the NDLEA’s psychosocial call centre, which last year alone helped over 7,000 Nigerians.”

Our goal is to reach 110 million Nigerians with anti-drug messages and directly impact 2 million students. Because when we invest in prevention, we invest in our future,” Sanya said.

To deepen the intervention, MTN Foundation is also funding fresh research with the UNODC focused on adolescents aged 11 to 15 the most vulnerable age group for first-time drug use. The last such national study was in 2019.

Secretary to the NDLEA, Shadrach Haruna, stressed that the fight against drug abuse requires a united front.

“This is not a government battle alone. It involves everyone – families, faith-based groups, and the media. That’s why our partnership with MTN Foundation is important. It shows we’re willing to work with anyone to safeguard the next generation,” he said.

Haruna also highlighted the NDLEA’s grassroots engagement in tertiary institutions, including drug-free clubs and advocacy groups in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

Backing the theme of the day, “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention”, Director of Pharmaceutical and Drug Administration, Dr Bakura Onyeneke, noted that awareness is still the most powerful tool in the fight against substance abuse.

“If we increase awareness, people become more productive and crime drops. It’s that simple. The data from treatment centres is growing, which means people are now coming forward. But we need to expand support services to match this,” Onyeneke said.

Students, too, are playing their part. MC Tutu, Director of Socials at the University of Abuja SUG, revealed that the university requires drug testing before students can register for courses.

“It’s a clear message: we don’t tolerate drug abuse. And we’re taking steps to protect our peers,” he said.

The advocacy walk held simultaneously in Lagos, Kano, and Abuja, with churches, mosques, and NGOs joining, marks a growing coalition of stakeholders taking a stand for the future of Nigeria’s youth.