Stakeholders across Nigeria’s media, healthcare, law enforcement, and government sectors converged in Lagos on Thursday, June 25, 2026, to forge a united front against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
The gathering marked Nigeria’s commemoration of the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
The Media Practitioners' Capacity Building Programme, hosted by the Nigerian Online Media Alliance (NOMA) at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, focused on strengthening the role of journalism in prevention and advocacy.
NOMA, a coalition of digital media publishers and journalists promoting ethical journalism and public advocacy, organised the event with the International Society of Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Professionals (ISSUP Nigeria), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba.
Themed “Responsible Media, Drug-Free Nigeria: The Journalist’s Role in Prevention and Advocacy,” the conference drew policymakers, public health experts, anti-drug advocates, security agencies, and media executives committed to reducing the impact of substance abuse nationwide.
NOMA Chairperson, Theresa Moses, opened the event, describing drug abuse as a threat to families, schools, and national development.
She urged journalists to embrace ethical, evidence-based reporting and avoid sensationalism that could harm prevention efforts.
“The stories we tell shape public understanding and influence behaviour,” Moses said, calling on media practitioners to reduce stigma and promote recovery.
Dr Olugbenga Owoeye, Chief Medical Director of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, called drug abuse a major public health challenge.
He stressed that prevention is the most cost-effective strategy, especially given Nigeria’s shortage of mental health professionals.
Over 1,200 substance use prevention and treatment professionals have been trained nationwide through international partnerships, he revealed.
NDLEA Chairman and CEO, Mohamed Buba Marwa, warned that Africa could see a 40% rise in drug use by 2030, with Nigeria at the center.
He cited a 14.4% national drug use prevalence, far above the 5.6% global average. While the NDLEA has made over 77,000 arrests, secured 14,000+ convictions, and seized 15 million kg of illicit drugs, Marwa stressed that “reducing demand remains the ultimate solution.”
He described journalists as indispensable partners in influencing youth attitudes and choices.
ISSUP Nigeria President, Dr Olajumoke Koyejo, challenged the view of addiction as a moral failure, calling it a chronic, relapsing brain disease.
She said stigma keeps many from seeking help, noting that 14.4% of Nigerians aged 15-65 use psychoactive substances.
Koyejo introduced VIBECHECK, a digital screening and referral platform to help individuals assess risk and access professional support.
Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Abubakre Ogunlende, flagged social media’s role in normalising substance abuse.
He highlighted state initiatives like LASKADA, school campaigns, and digital mental health platforms to combat the trend.
Prince Joseph Idiong, DG of the Association of Nigerian Exporters, noted how drug trafficking damages legitimate trade through port delays and reputational harm. He urged collaboration with UNODC, WHO, and UNICEF on evidence-based campaigns.
In a goodwill message, Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Obafemi-Ajayi Ademuyiwa, called drug abuse a developmental challenge, urging responsible reporting that protects the dignity of those in recovery.
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