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In response to the alarming increase in drug use and HIV incidence among people who use drugs in Nigeria, YouthRISE Nigeria emerged as a beacon of hope.
With its founding executive director at the helm, the organization seeks to address the lack of comprehensive responses to the drug epidemic.
Over the past ten years, YouthRISE Nigeria has become a leading force in advocating for evidence-based policies, implementing harm reduction programs, and empowering young people.
The organization started a conversation many were afraid to talk about. They forced the Nigerian society to rethink and shift perspectives and narratives about people who use drugs who are often seen as criminals to a group of people in need of a public health response.
Through their dedication and unwavering commitment, the organization has made a significant impact on the lives of individuals and communities affected by drug use.
As YouthRISE Nigeria celebrates its 10th-year anniversary, we reflect on its transformative journey and envision a future where health, human rights, and development are protected for every young person in Nigeria.
YouthRISE Nigeria was established in response to the urgent need for a comprehensive response to drug use and HIV in Nigeria.
In 2010, the organization organized a groundbreaking multi-stakeholder meeting in Abuja, which garnered significant interest and highlighted the necessity for comprehensive harm reduction programs. After formalizing its operations in 2012, YouthRISE Nigeria became a driving force for policy reform, engaging critical stakeholders and advocating for evidence-based approaches.
The organization’s primary mission is to promote human rights, access to quality health, and socioeconomic justice for young people, particularly those who use drugs and other vulnerable populations.
Through advocacy, community engagement, and partnerships with government and stakeholders, YouthRISE Nigeria focuses on HIV prevention, treatment, and care, sexual reproductive health, harm reduction, drug treatment services, research, and development.
Over the past decade, YouthRISE Nigeria has achieved remarkable milestones and positively impacted the lives of numerous individuals. One of their notable achievements was the publication of the first national report on the impact of Nigeria’s drug policy on the health and human rights of young people who use drugs.
This groundbreaking report shed light on the urgent need for policy reform and served as a catalyst for change. YouthRISE Nigeria also won the prestigious United Nations Red Ribbon Award for the promotion of a Just and equitable society.
Through their comprehensive HIV prevention, treatment, and care services, YouthRISE Nigeria has reached over 360,000 individuals who use drugs, including adolescent girls and young women. These services encompass harm reduction, integrated sexual reproductive health, gender-sensitive programs, referrals, and linkages to treatment. The work of the organization also gained recognition with the African Union Compendium of Good practice.
The organization’s commitment to youth empowerment is evident through its community mobilization efforts, entrepreneurship training, capacity building programs, and mentorship initiatives. By providing access to credit facilities, skill acquisition programs, and technical support to youth organizations, YouthRISE Nigeria has empowered young people to become agents of change within their communities.
YouthRISE Nigeria’s research and development endeavors have played a vital role in generating evidence and disseminating information. Through their advocacy efforts, the organization has engaged with stakeholders across sectors, including law enforcement agencies, government agencies, media representatives, and religious leaders, to drive evidence-based drug control responses.
In partnership with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), YouthRise Nigeria organised the first ever consultation among people who use drugs in order to ensure their voices are included in policy and program planning. The organisation went up to established the first drug user network in Nigeria to support people who use drugs to navigate through their challenges and become useful to themselves and society.
As YouthRISE Nigeria celebrates its 10 year’s anniversary, the organization sets its sights on a future where evidence-based policies and youth-centered interventions shape drug control responses. With the launch of YouthRISE Africa, the organization aims to expand its impact across the continent, advocating for effective drug control and harm reduction programs.
YouthRISE Nigeria’s strategic partnerships with national and international organizations, such as the UNODC, Heartland Alliance International and Amplify Change among others will continue to drive progress and amplify their mission, By strengthening commitment to comprehensive sexuality education, promoting gender-responsive harm reduction, and leveraging innovative digital solutions, YouthRISE Nigeria is at the forefront of shaping a more inclusive and effective response to drug use.
As YouthRISE Nigeria marks its 10th-year milestone, the organization’s remarkable journey of advocacy, empowerment, and impact cannot be overstated. Through their unwavering commitment to evidence-based policies, comprehensive harm reduction programs, and youth empowerment, YouthRISE Nigeria has transformed the lives of countless individuals affected by drug use and HIV.
As Nigeria and Africa face the complex challenges of drug use, YouthRISE Nigeria remains a steadfast advocate for change, continuously pushing for policy reform and better health outcomes for the most affected communities. With a vision of a society where the health, human rights, and development of every young person are promoted and protected, YouthRISE Nigeria continues to inspire and lead the way towards a more inclusive and compassionate future.
Segun Olaniyi writes from Lagos
