BY AMARACHI JIM-NWOKO
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – The MTN Foundation has launched Nigeria’s first national survey on substance abuse among secondary school students as part of efforts to strengthen evidence-based interventions aimed at tackling the growing menace of drug abuse across the country.
Speaking on Friday at the State Housd Conference Centre Abuja in an event to commemorate the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking themed “The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses” the Chairman MTN Foundation, Dr. Mrs. Mosun Belo-Olusoga, who was represented by the Foundation’s Executive Director, Odunayo Sanya, said the survey is being implemented in technical partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in collaboration with the Office of the Vice President and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
She explained that the survey would be conducted in secondary schools across local government areas nationwide to generate reliable data that would guide government policies, private sector interventions and the programmes of other stakeholders in addressing substance abuse among young people.
According to her, the absence of comprehensive and up-to-date data has made it difficult for both government and private organisations to design targeted and effective interventions.
Dr. Belo-Olusoga said the MTN Foundation has maintained a strategic partnership with the NDLEA and UNODC since 2019 to develop practical, sustainable and impactful solutions to curb substance abuse, particularly among young Nigerians.
She described secondary schools as a critical point for preventive intervention, stressing that educating children early is essential to preventing substance abuse and addiction among the nation’s youth.
Beyond awareness campaigns, she said the Foundation is creating opportunities for young people through fully funded digital skills certification programmes, entrepreneurship training and equipment grants to provide positive alternatives and reduce the appeal of drug abuse.
“This year, we plan to reach more than 20,000 public secondary school students across 10 states representing the six geopolitical zones through specially designed substance abuse awareness and education modules,” she said.
She added that the Foundation has already reached more than 50,000 students through its anti-substance abuse advocacy programmes.
As part of activities marking this year’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Dr. Belo-Olusoga said the Foundation organised advocacy walks in tertiary institutions and communities, as well as stakeholder roundtable discussions in six states, noting that its campaign against substance abuse is a year-round commitment rather than a one-day event.
She emphasised that tackling substance abuse requires collective responsibility, urging families, communities, civil society organisations, the private sector and government agencies to work together.
“We are all stakeholders in this fight. Drug abuse affects families and communities, and we must equip ourselves to support those struggling with addiction while preventing young people from going down that path,” she said.
She commended the Federal Government for integrating substance abuse education into the school curriculum, supporting the establishment of War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) clubs in schools and implementing drug testing policies in tertiary institutions.
While acknowledging the progress made, Dr. Belo-Olusoga maintained that government alone cannot solve the problem, calling on parents, guardians, teachers and community leaders to play more active roles in protecting young people from substance abuse.
She reaffirmed the MTN Foundation’s commitment to sustaining its partnership with relevant stakeholders to reduce substance abuse and expand educational and economic opportunities for Nigerian youths
