MTN Foundation Harps On Collective Action Against Substance Abuse

The MTN Foundation, through the MTN Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP) has convened a stakeholder conference to address the pressing issue of substance abuse in Nigeria, in its efforts to curb the menace of substance abuse.

Present at the conference were the commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Lagos State, Mr. Mobolaji Ogundele; Commander of Narcotics, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Lagos State Command, Abubakar Liman Wali; chairman, MTN Foundation, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, among other key stakeholders.

The MTN Anti-Substance Abuse Programme is a multi-stakeholder and sectoral behaviour change initiative aimed at reducing the rate of first-time substance abusers amongst young Nigerians aged between 10 and 25 years.

Speaking, chairman, MTN Foundation, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi emphasised the strategic importance and significance of the ASAP initiative.

He stated that, “five years ago, we examined the dire situation and concluded that something had to be done about the menace of substance abuse. We felt it was time to address the problem beyond boardroom speeches, leading to the birth of ASAP. Drug abuse is a global phenomenon, but every Nation must devise its own strategy to tackle its unique challenges.”

He noted that substance abuse remains a significant challenge, exacerbated by the high unemployment rates in Nigeria.

According to a report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBC), Nigeria’s unemployment rate surged to 5.0 per cent in the third quarter of 2023 from 4.2 per cent in the previous quarter. The report added that the labour force participation rate among the working-age population declined to 79.5 percent in Q3 compared to 80.4 per cent in Q2.

This economic challenge fuels the prevalence of drug abuse, as many youths turn to substance use as an escape from their harsh realities. Studies indicate that approximately 14.4 per cent of Nigerians aged 15 to 64 use drugs, which is nearly three times the global average. This alarming statistic underscores the urgency for comprehensive intervention strategies.

The commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Lagos State, Mobolaji Ogundele, who represented the executive Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, highlighted the state’s commitment to tackling this issue

According to him, the theme of this year’s International Day Against Drug Abuse, ‘Breaking the Cycle; Effective Strategies for Preventing Drug Abuse Among Nigeria’s Youth’, is not just timely but imperative. It also resonates deeply with our administration’s vision to safeguard the future of our nation.

On the strategic partnership between the MTN Foundation and the executive director, MTN Foundation, the Lagos State government, Odunayo Sanya stated that, “we are grateful for our partnership with Lagos State. Lagos is unique; it is the economic nerve centre of Nigeria, and initiatives implemented here have the potential to be replicated across the entire country. This collaboration allows us to work together on effective policies to combat substance abuse.”

The MTN ASAP stakeholder conference underscored the necessity for increased investment in prevention efforts, advocating for collaborative approaches to tackle this multifaceted issue.