LAGOS/Nigeria: Nigeria’s battle against drug abuse and illicit trafficking received renewed momentum on Thursday as media professionals, healthcare experts, anti-narcotics officials, policymakers and civil society organisations called for a paradigm shift from reactive enforcement to sustained prevention, public education and responsible journalism.
The stakeholders, who gathered in Lagos to commemorate the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, unanimously agreed that although law enforcement remains critical, Nigeria can only win the war against substance abuse through coordinated action involving the media, families, schools, faith-based organisations, communities and government institutions.
The consensus emerged at the Media Practitioners’ Capacity Building Programme organised by the Nigerian Online Media Alliance (NOMA), a coalition of online publishers and journalists committed to ethical journalism, media development and public advocacy. The programme, held at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, was organised in partnership with the International Society of Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Professionals (ISSUP Nigeria), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital. It focused on strengthening the capacity of journalists to report accurately and responsibly on drug-related issues while promoting prevention and behavioural change.
With the theme, “Responsible Media, Drug-Free Nigeria: The Journalist’s Role in Prevention and Advocacy,” the forum brought together leading voices in public health, law enforcement, government, youth development and the media to examine the growing threat posed by substance abuse to national security, public health, economic productivity and social stability. Speakers agreed that the media must move beyond merely reporting drug-related crimes to becoming a strategic partner in prevention through factual, ethical and solution-driven journalism.
Welcoming participants, Chairperson of the Nigerian Online Media Alliance, Theresa Moses, described the programme as a timely intervention designed to equip journalists with the knowledge and professional competence required to tackle one of Nigeria’s most urgent social challenges. She lamented that substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking continue to destroy families, undermine educational institutions, fuel criminality and weaken national development. According to her, journalists possess enormous influence in shaping public discourse, correcting misinformation and encouraging healthier choices. “The stories we tell, the language we use, the facts we verify and the issues we prioritise all contribute to shaping public understanding and influencing behaviour,” she said, urging media practitioners to embrace evidence-based reporting, avoid sensationalism and help reduce the stigma often associated with addiction and recovery.
In his keynote address, the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Dr. Olugbenga Owoeye, described drug abuse as one of the most pressing public health emergencies confronting Nigeria and many other countries. He observed that the increasing prevalence of substance use disorders requires a comprehensive response anchored on prevention, early intervention and treatment rather than punishment alone. Stressing that prevention remains the most cost-effective strategy, Owoeye disclosed that more than 1,200 substance use prevention and treatment professionals have so far been trained across Nigeria through international collaborations and specialised capacity-building initiatives. He also expressed concern over the country’s shortage of mental health professionals, saying this makes public enlightenment and community engagement even more indispensable.
Representing the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), warned that Africa is emerging as one of the fastest-growing regions for drug use globally, with projections indicating a possible 40 per cent increase by 2030. He revealed that Nigeria’s drug use prevalence stands at 14.4 per cent—almost three times the global average of 5.6 per cent. While highlighting the agency’s operational successes, including over 77,000 arrests, more than 14,000 convictions and the seizure of over 15 million kilograms of illicit drugs nationwide, Marwa maintained that enforcement alone cannot solve the crisis. “Reducing demand remains the ultimate solution, and this is where the media becomes indispensable,” he said, describing journalists as influential partners capable of shaping public attitudes and discouraging substance abuse, especially among young people.
Also speaking, President of ISSUP Nigeria, Dr. Olajumoke Koyejo, challenged long-held misconceptions surrounding addiction, insisting that substance dependence should be recognised as a chronic, relapsing brain disease rather than a moral weakness or criminal behaviour. Delivering a presentation titled “Breaking the Stigma: Public Health and Digital Approaches to Addiction Prevention in Nigeria,” she disclosed that approximately 14.4 per cent of Nigerians aged between 15 and 65 use psychoactive substances, while behavioural addictions, particularly gambling, are also increasing. She warned that stigma remains one of the greatest barriers to treatment because many victims fear rejection and discrimination. To bridge this gap, she introduced VIBECHECK, a digital screening and referral platform developed by ISSUP Nigeria to enable early risk assessment and connect users with professional treatment and support services.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Abubakre Ogunlende, expressed concern over the increasing glorification of substance abuse on social media, warning that digital platforms have become powerful channels for influencing vulnerable young people. He identified unemployment, economic hardship and peer pressure as additional factors driving substance use among youths and outlined several interventions introduced by the Lagos State Government, including the Lagos State Kick Against Drug Abuse (LASKADA) initiative, school awareness campaigns, rehabilitation programmes and digital mental health support services. Contributing an economic dimension to the discussion, Director-General of the Association of Nigerian Exporters (ANE), Prince Joseph Idiong, warned that drug trafficking also damages Nigeria’s export reputation by attracting stricter inspections, shipment delays, demurrage charges and higher business costs for legitimate exporters. He urged journalists to deepen collaboration with international organisations such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF to strengthen evidence-based reporting and public awareness campaigns.
In a goodwill message delivered on behalf of the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Obafemi-Ajayi Ademuyiwa described drug abuse as a developmental challenge whose consequences extend beyond health and security to education, productivity and national growth. He urged journalists to uphold professionalism by reporting drug-related issues accurately, avoiding sensationalism and respecting the dignity of persons undergoing treatment and recovery. At the end of the programme, participants unanimously agreed that the responsibility of confronting drug abuse cannot be left to government alone. They called for stronger collaboration among parents, teachers, healthcare professionals, religious leaders, community organisations, security agencies, the media and development partners, expressing confidence that sustained prevention campaigns, responsible journalism and collective action can significantly reduce substance abuse and build a healthier, safer and more productive Nigerian society.
