The First Lady of Lagos State, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has emphasised the importance of awareness campaigns as a critical tool in the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
She gave this indication during the flag off of an awareness campaign at the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo Campus, in commemoration of the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
The event with the theme “The Evidence is Clear, Invest in Prevention” featured a sensitisation walk across the LASU campus, engaging students, faculty, and key stakeholders.
Participants included representatives from the Lagos State Ministries of Youth and Social Development, Health, Tertiary Education, Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) as well as students who participated actively in the programme.
Silent Killer
Addressing students during the campaign, Dr. Sanwo-Olu described substance abuse as a “silent killer and destiny destroyer,” stressing the need for early intervention and community involvement.
She urged young people to seek help without fear of stigma and called on women, parents, and community leaders to speak out and support efforts at the grassroots level.
According to her “The walk, drama presentations, and interactive sessions were not only symbolic but strategic in enlightening the student community about the dangers of drug abuse. This campaign is a call to action for all of us to invest in prevention and show compassion to those struggling with addiction.”
Mental Threat
In his remark at the event, Lagos Commander of the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Mr. Abubakar Wali, warned of the growing threat drug abuse poses to mental health and national security.
He reaffirmed the agency’s resolve to intensify efforts, particularly in curbing substance use among youths, who are often vulnerable to peer pressure and societal influences.
Statistics
The Vice Chancellor of LASU, Professor Ibiyemi Tunji-Bello, welcomed the initiative and highlighted alarming statistics, noting that over 14.3 million young Nigerians aged 15 to 20 have reportedly engaged in drug use.
She however, called on parents, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and educational institutions to join hands in addressing the epidemic, emphasising that the fight against drug abuse is a shared responsibility.
The campaign climaxed with the presentation of an award to Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu in recognition of her commitment to combating drug abuse and for championing the awareness initiative at LASU ahead of the global observance on June 26.