The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has renewed its commitment to combating substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking, calling for stronger collaboration among government agencies, communities and development partners to protect Nigerian youths from drug abuse.
The call was made at a stakeholders’ conference held in Ilorin, Kwara State, where security agencies, policymakers, educators and development organisations gathered to discuss strategies for tackling substance abuse and reducing narcotics use among young people.
The conference, themed “The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges and Innovative Responses,” was organised by the MTN Foundation’s Anti-Substance Abuse Programme in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Kwara State Governor on Drug Abuse Prevention and Control, and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Speaking through its Kwara Area Command, the NCS stressed that addressing the drug problem requires sustained cooperation among security agencies, educational institutions, families and community leaders, noting that no single organisation can effectively tackle the challenge alone.
The event brought together representatives of the NDLEA, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigeria Correctional Service and other stakeholders involved in drug control and youth development.
Participants expressed concern over the impact of substance abuse on young Nigerians, warning that the trend poses serious threats to public health, security, education and national productivity if not urgently addressed.
They emphasised the need for preventive measures, awareness campaigns and early intervention programmes, urging parents to play more active roles in monitoring and guiding their children.
Stakeholders also highlighted the importance of schools, religious organisations and traditional institutions in shaping positive values and educating young people on the dangers associated with drug abuse and related social vices.
Among dignitaries at the conference were the representative of the First Lady of Kwara State and Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Maryam Iya Imam, and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Drug Abuse Prevention and Control, Mukail Aileru, alongside senior executives and other government officials.
The conference featured keynote presentations on emerging drug trends, innovative prevention strategies and measures for strengthening enforcement against drug trafficking networks operating across the country.
The MTN Foundation said its Anti-Substance Abuse Programme, launched in 2019, has continued to train teachers, students and National Youth Service Corps members across Nigeria, while supporting awareness initiatives aimed at discouraging drug use among young people.
The stakeholders concluded the meeting with a pledge to deepen partnerships, expand advocacy campaigns and strengthen community-based interventions to curb substance abuse and safeguard the future of Nigeria’s youth population.
