Stakeholders from media, health, security, government, and private sectors have backed a journalists’ advocacy campaign against drug abuse and illicit trafficking in Nigeria.
They made the call in Lagos during activities marking the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
The event was organised by the Nigerian Online Media Alliance (NOMA) in collaboration with ISSUP Nigeria, the NDLEA, and the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba.
It held on Thursday, at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in Yaba, Lagos, with the themed “Responsible Media, Drug-Free Nigeria: The Journalist’s Role in Prevention and Advocacy,” the programme focused on strengthening media participation in drug prevention campaigns.
Participants included policymakers, journalists, public health experts, anti-drug advocates, security agencies, and media executives.
They agreed that the media plays a key role in shaping public behaviour and strengthening awareness on substance abuse.
NOMA Chairperson, Theresa Moses, described the programme as a strategic intervention to equip journalists with better reporting skills on drug-related issues.
She said drug abuse and illicit trafficking continue to threaten families, communities, schools, and national development.
Moses stressed that journalists influence public perception through storytelling, language, and issue prioritisation.
“The stories we tell, the language we use, the facts we verify, and the issues we prioritize all contribute to shaping public understanding and influencing behaviour,” she said.
She urged media professionals to adopt ethical, evidence-based reporting and avoid sensationalism and misinformation.
According to her, responsible journalism can reduce stigma, support recovery, and strengthen national prevention efforts.
Chief Medical Director of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Dr. Olugbenga Owoeye, described drug abuse as a major global public health challenge.
He said Nigeria continues to record high levels of substance abuse, making coordinated action necessary.
Owoeye noted that prevention remains the most effective and cost-efficient response strategy.
He also highlighted the shortage of mental health professionals, stressing the importance of public education and awareness.
He disclosed that over 1,200 substance use prevention and treatment professionals have been trained through international partnerships.
NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier-General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), warned that Africa is facing a rapidly rising drug crisis.
He said Nigeria remains a major hotspot, with projections showing increasing drug use across the continent.
Marwa stated that Nigeria’s drug use prevalence stands at 14.4 percent, above the global average of 5.6 percent.
He added that the NDLEA has made over 77,000 arrests and secured more than 14,000 convictions.
The agency has also seized over 15 million kilograms of illicit drugs nationwide.
Despite these gains, Marwa stressed that law enforcement alone cannot solve the problem.
“Reducing demand remains the ultimate solution, and this is where the media becomes indispensable,” he said.
President of ISSUP Nigeria, Dr. Olajumoke Koyejo, called for a shift in how addiction is understood and treated.
She said addiction should be seen as a chronic brain disease, not a moral failure.
Koyejo noted that stigma continues to prevent many people from seeking treatment.
“When addiction is viewed as a personal weakness or criminal behaviour, individuals become afraid to seek help,” she said.
She also revealed that about 14.4 percent of Nigerians aged 15 to 65 use psychoactive substances.
She introduced ISSUP Nigeria’s VIBECHECK platform, designed for screening and referral of substance use cases.
Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, expressed concern over social media’s role in normalising drug use.
He said economic hardship, unemployment, and peer pressure are increasing youth vulnerability.
Ogunlende listed state initiatives including LASKADA, school sensitisation programmes, rehabilitation services, and digital mental health support.
Director-General of the Association of Nigerian Exporters, Prince Joseph Idiong, warned that drug trafficking also affects legitimate trade.
He said it leads to stricter inspections, delays, and reputational risks for exporters.
Idiong urged stronger collaboration between journalists and global agencies like UNODC, WHO, and UNICEF.
A representative of the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Obafemi-Ajayi Ademuyiwa, said drug abuse is both a health and development challenge.
He urged responsible reporting that avoids sensationalism and protects individuals in recovery.
Stakeholders called for collective responsibility involving parents, teachers, security agencies, faith leaders, civil society, and the media.
They expressed optimism that sustained collaboration will reduce drug abuse and promote healthier communities across Nigeria.
