MTN, UNODC, and NDLEA Partner to Train Teachers and Students Against Drug Abuse in Nigeria
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MTN, UNODC, and NDLEA Partner to Train Teachers and Students Against Drug Abuse in Nigeria |
MTN, UNODC, and NDLEA launch Unplugged Teachers Training in Nigeria, targeting 86,400 students and 1,440 teachers to fight drug abuse.
Drug abuse among young people in Nigeria continues to raise concerns, with statistics showing alarming rates of substance misuse. To address this challenge, MTN Nigeria, in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has launched a comprehensive initiative to educate and empower teachers and students against drug abuse.
A Nationwide Initiative to Combat Drug Abuse
The program, known as the Unplugged Teachers Training on Drug Prevention, aims to reach over 86,400 public secondary school students and 1,440 teachers across 12 states, including Kwara. This large-scale effort demonstrates the critical need for preventive education as a long-term solution to substance misuse among Nigerian youths.
According to Chinyere Ikechi, MTN Nigeria’s Manager of Sales and Trade Development for Kwara, the initiative reflects MTN Foundation’s commitment to “prevention rather than cure.” She emphasized that drug abuse poses a grave threat to Nigerian youths, making it necessary to act quickly and decisively.
How MTN is Driving Drug Prevention Awareness
MTN Foundation has introduced several impactful strategies to discourage reliance on harmful substances among young people. These include:
- Organizing quiz competitions to engage students positively.
- Hosting stakeholders’ workshops on drug prevention.
- Delivering three-day training programs for teachers in Kwara and Kaduna.
- Partnering with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to conduct community outreach campaigns.
These activities are designed not just for awareness but also for long-term impact. The trained teachers will continue post-training engagement, ensuring students act as advocates and ambassadors against drug abuse.
For more information on MTN’s social impact projects, visit the MTN Foundation official website.
UNODC’s Warning on Rising Drug Abuse
At the event, Maria Ilugbuhi, UNODC’s representative, painted a concerning picture: one in seven Nigerians is a drug user, and one in four of them is female. She highlighted that unless urgent steps are taken, drug use in Africa could increase by 40% by 2030.
UNODC’s research also revealed that:
- The South West has the highest concentration of drug users in Nigeria.
- In a survey of 84,000 youths by UNICEF/UNODC, nearly 50% knew someone personally involved in drug use.
These statistics stress the importance of prevention, treatment, and support services as part of a comprehensive strategy. More details on global efforts against substance abuse can be found on the UNODC official website.
Government Support for a Drug-Free Society
Representing Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Senior Adviser Alhaji Saadu Salahu praised MTN and its partners for investing in Nigeria’s future. He noted that drug addiction is a root cause of many security challenges in the country, making prevention programs like this critical.
Similarly, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Drug Abuse Prevention and Control, Aileru Olamileka, stressed that the Unplugged Teachers Training Programme is a globally recognized school-based prevention initiative. By equipping teachers with the right tools, the state is prioritizing education and prevention over rehabilitation.
Why This Initiative Matters
The partnership between MTN, UNODC, NDLEA, and state governments demonstrates how collaboration can create scalable solutions to pressing social challenges. By targeting teachers and students, the initiative ensures that knowledge spreads beyond classrooms to communities, creating a multiplier effect.
Key Benefits of the Program:
- Builds awareness and resilience among secondary school students.
- Strengthens teachers’ capacity to educate and mentor.
- Supports Nigeria’s fight against substance abuse with sustainable prevention strategies.
- Contributes to national security and youth development.
Drug abuse prevention is everyone’s responsibility. Parents, teachers, policymakers, and community leaders must work together to protect Nigeria’s youth from the devastating effects of substance abuse.
To learn more about effective drug prevention strategies and global campaigns, explore the NDLEA official website.
The MTN, UNODC, and NDLEA drug prevention initiative is more than just a training—it is a movement to empower the next generation. With over 86,000 students and 1,400 teachers already reached, the program is setting a foundation for a drug-free Nigeria.
Together, through prevention, education, and collaboration, Nigeria can safeguard its youth and secure a brighter future.
