The Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation has expressed concern over the rising rate of drug and substance abuse among Nigerian youths, warning that the trend has reached the level of a national emergency.
The foundation said the increasing prevalence of drug abuse, if not urgently addressed, could undermine the country’s socio-economic stability and long-term development.
This was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Director-General of the foundation, Abubakar Umar, following the March edition of its Monthly Virtual Mentorship Programme.
The session brought together experts to examine the growing menace of substance abuse and its implications for Nigerian society.
Drug abuse refers to the use of illegal drugs or the misuse of prescription and over-the-counter medications for purposes other than those intended, or in excessive amounts. Experts say the practice can lead to severe social, physical, emotional, and employment-related problems.
During the session, Muhammad Kasim, who presented a paper titled “Drugs and Substance Abuse Among Youth: Socio-Economic Implications on the Society,” cited alarming statistics on drug use in Nigeria.
According to him, data from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime shows that Nigeria has a drug use prevalence rate of 14.4 per cent, representing about 14.3 million people.
Kasim noted that youths constitute a significant proportion of those affected, raising serious concerns for the country’s future workforce and productivity.
“The scale of drug use in Nigeria is deeply worrying, particularly because a large percentage of those affected are youths who should be at the peak of their productivity,” he said.
The foundation warned that the increasing availability and consumption of both conventional and synthetic drugs among young people pose serious threats to public health, economic productivity, national security, and social stability.
It identified several consequences of the trend, including rising cases of addiction and mental health disorders, increased pressure on healthcare systems, declining workforce productivity, higher crime rates, and weakening family structures.
The foundation further observed that Northern Nigeria faces heightened vulnerability due to socio-economic challenges such as poverty, unemployment, low school enrolment, and the large population of out-of-school children.
“These conditions create a fertile ground for substance abuse, especially with the emergence and normalisation of more dangerous synthetic and locally compounded drugs,” the foundation said.
To tackle the growing crisis, the organisation called for urgent and coordinated action involving government, communities, and development partners.
It recommended integrating drug education into school curricula and intensifying community-based awareness campaigns to promote behavioural change among young people.
The foundation also advocated expanding treatment and rehabilitation services, including improving access to affordable facilities and integrating mental health services into primary healthcare systems nationwide.
In addition, it urged authorities to strengthen the capacity of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and enhance collaboration among security and regulatory agencies to curb the proliferation of illicit substances.
The organisation further emphasised the need for increased investment in youth empowerment initiatives such as skills acquisition, vocational training, and entrepreneurship development to address unemployment and reduce vulnerability to drug abuse.
It also called on the government to tackle underlying socio-economic drivers by improving access to quality education and creating opportunities for disadvantaged populations.
The foundation stressed the importance of data-driven policymaking, noting that effective monitoring and evaluation frameworks are critical to addressing the crisis.
“Drug abuse among youths is not just a health issue; it is a developmental emergency with far-reaching consequences for Nigeria’s stability, security, and economic growth,” the statement added.
It therefore called on government at all levels, civil society organisations, families, religious and traditional leaders, as well as development partners to work together to confront the challenge.
Umar reiterated the foundation’s commitment to sustained advocacy and youth-focused interventions, noting that immediate and coordinated action is necessary to prevent a deeper national crisis.
