Sanwo-Olu leads anti-substance abuse campaign in Lagos
Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, Wife of the governor of Lagos State and chairman, Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO)
… As MTN Foundation, NDLEA join 2025 ASAP Advocacy Walk
Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, First Lady of Lagos State, has made an emotional appeal to curb growing accessibility of drugs in schools and communities driven by peer pressure, weak enforcement and societal neglect.
“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 stated during the 2025 MTN Nigeria’s Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP) advocacy walk.
The ASAP advocacy walk, which started at Alao Aka Bashorun Garden in Gbagada and ended at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), saw the stakeholders calling attention to the urgent need to break the cycle of substance abuse through targeted youth interventions.
The ASAP advocacy walk concluded with a symbolic pledge to spread awareness and continue the conversation in schools, communities, and homes. The 2025 MTN ASAP campaign aims to train over 86,000 students and 1,500 teachers nationwide.
“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”, Sanwo-Olu stated.
Mosun Belo-Olusoga,Chairman, MTN Foundation, emphasised the importance of vigilance, noting that withdrawn behaviour or unusual conduct could be early warning signs. She reminded the audience of the communal responsibility in the fight against substance abuse.
“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,” Belo-Olusoga stated.
Abubakar Liman Wali, Commander, NDLEA Lagos Command, called for long-term investment in drug prevention and education, emphasising the agency’s ongoing efforts across the State to curb drug abuse.
“The NDLEA continues to intensify outreach and advocacy because substance abuse is not just a youth problem, it’s a national threat”, he added.
Itunuoluwa Onifade, behavioural psychologist, in a panel session urged 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”, Onifade said.
Nnamdi Akikodi, a former drug user, recounted his experience in a fireside chat, stating: “I became psychotic. That was the turning point for me. I lost my sanity.”
