UNA-Nigeria moves to discourage youths from tobacco, nicotine use

…holds hybrid debate competition on potential risks

In order to discourage youths from using tobacco and nicotine products, the United Nations Association of Nigeria (UNA-Nigeria) has launched a nationwide hybrid debate competition, a new perspective on health education on the potential risks of the substances.
The programme, which began in Lagos and is now underway in Enugu, encourages students to examine the health implications of these substances through a structured and thoughtful exchange of ideas.
By challenging young people to assess the risks and discuss preventive public health measures critically, the initiative aims to empower students as informed voices in their communities.

This effort marks a practical move to enhance public health education and foster a more informed dialogue among the nation’s future leaders.

The President of the association, Oluremi Olutimo, who provided details about the competition during the 2nd edition of the UNA-Nigeria World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) 2025 debate competition in Lagos, said the theme of the event: “Empowering the next generation to stand against tobacco,” underscores the objective.

Olutimo, who is also a professor, said that UNA-Nigeria decided to organise the competition to create awareness and curb the menace which was spreading like a pandemic in the society, and schools were not free from it.

He said the participating schools were from both public and private schools across the six education districts in Lagos and Ogun states.
Olutimo said all the schools were brilliantly exceptional as they showed depth of their research, presentation skills and knowledge of the topics, and how important the topic was to them.
“The debate is currently ongoing in Enugu state, and this is the first time the event is being held outside Lagos state; and the reasons for this initiative are not limited to a ban on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship.

“This is especially targeted at youths, raising awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco and nicotine products, and prevention through education, particularly in schools.

“It is also aimed at stopping the next generation from becoming addicted, give support for tobacco-free environments, including schools, to protect nonsmokers and promote healthy lifestyles.’’

On his assessment of the debaters, Olutimo described them as awesome, as, according to him, they showed a good level of educated students who were ready to tackle the issue of tobacco and create massive awareness amongst their peers.

One of the keynote speakers, the Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 2, AIG Adegoke Fayoade, decried the menace and arms, tobacco, and nicotine products had caused among young people.

Fayoade, who was represented by the Zone 2, Public Relations Officer, Ayuba Tunni Umma, a Chief Superintendent of Police, stressed the need for more education and awareness about the deadly nature of tobacco and nicotine products.

He frowned about this and appreciated the organisers for championing the programme amongst Nigerian students.

In his comment, Henry Bassey, Head Community Engagement, Police Campaign Against Cultism and other vices, South West, urged the students to shun any form of tobacco or nicotine products.

Bassey urged students and representatives to educate the students more about this and speak up if they notice any form of tobacco or nicotine products around the schools.

The state’s Commander National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Abubakar Wali, said the agency was not taking it lightly with any individuals or companies that were caught in the crime of promoting tobacco and nicotine products among the youth.

Wali, who was represented by Assistant Commander of Narcotics, Mulikat Adunn, warned that the wrath of the law would rest on such individuals or companies, squarely.

He urged all the participating schools to help spread massively, the awareness among their students to avoid indulging in any nicotine products, as the law would not spare any offender.

Earlier, in his opening remarks, the programme coordinator of the association, Ephraim Abutu Ali, explained that it decided to introduce the online debate so that schools and students would be exposed to technology.