By Chinenye Anuforo
Hundreds marched through the streets of Lagos as part of MTN Nigeria’s Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP) advocacy walk.
The advocacy walk drew participation from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Lagos State Government, Nigerian Immigration Services, National Youth Service Corps, student leaders, civil society groups, and members of the public.
The walk, which started at Alao Aka Bashorun Garden in Gbagada and ended at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), featured a powerful lineup of speeches, testimonial sessions, goodwill messages and expert panels, all calling attention to the urgent need to break the cycle of substance abuse through targeted youth interventions.
During her remarks, the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu made an emotional appeal: “We have children as young as five years old taking alcohol. It starts with just one sip. That one sip leads to intoxication, and before long, the child’s destiny is in jeopardy,” she said. Dr. Sanwo-Olu lamented the growing accessibility of drugs in schools and communities, driven by peer pressure, weak enforcement, and societal neglect. “Prevention is cheaper than treatment. “Parents are selling everything they have just to rehabilitate one child, and many are giving up. But these children don’t need punishment – they need help,” she added.
Chairman of the MTN Foundation, Dr. Mosun Belo-Olusoga, reminded the audience of the communal responsibility in the fight: “It is everybody’s business to fight substance abuse. This isn’t just for the news or for parents, it’s for all of us. We must stay alert to what young people are watching, who they are with, and how they behave.” She emphasised the importance of vigilance, noting that withdrawn behaviour or unusual conduct could be early warning signs.
Commander Abubakar Liman Wali of the NDLEA Lagos Command called for long-term investment in drug prevention and education, emphasising the agency’s ongoing efforts across the state. “The NDLEA continues to intensify outreach and advocacy because substance abuse is not just a youth problem, it’s a national threat,” he stated.
The event also featured a deeply personal fireside chat with Nnamdi Akikodi, a recovered drug user, who recounted his experience: “I became psychotic. That was the turning point for me. I lost my sanity.” His testimony was part of a panel featuring behavioural psychologist, Dr. Itunuoluwa Onifade, who advised young people to learn their “emotional warning signs” and develop coping strategies: “At all points in our life, there will be something more stressful than our emotional capacity. Know your signs and have a plan.”
The walk concluded with a symbolic pledge to spread awareness and continue the conversation in schools, communities, and homes. The 2025 edition of the MTN ASAP campaign aims to train over 86,000 students and 1,500 teachers nationwide