Nigerian street-pop sensation Adekunle Temitope, popularly known as Small Doctor, has voiced deep concern over the growing rate of drug abuse among young Nigerians.
Taking to his X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, the singer shared a heartbreaking account of what he witnessed during a recent visit to his childhood neighbourhood.
“I strolled through the hood on Sunday, and what I saw was heartbreaking,” Small Doctor wrote. “The rate young chaps use drugs nowadays is alarming.”
According to him, many of the young men he encountered were visibly under the influence of drugs, with some displaying disturbing behaviour—standing while asleep or caught in bizarre postures due to the substances consumed.
“These were promising guys we grew up with. Now, they’re shadows of themselves,” he lamented.
The singer also recalled a warning he received years ago from veteran Fuji artist, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (K1 De Ultimate), who had advised him to consider opening a rehabilitation centre. “Six years ago, K1 told me to set up a rehab centre. I didn’t take it seriously then. But now, I see the need more than ever,” he said.
Small Doctor also mentioned a fellow artist named David, who previously championed anti-drug messages on social media through music.
He expressed concern over the disappearance of such content, noting, “There’s one bro that sings against drug abuse on socials—David something, can’t fully remember. Been a minute I came across his contents. I think we need him more this moment.”
His comments come amidst growing national concern about substance abuse.
According to a 2023 report by The PUNCH, the Ogun state Commander of the NDLEA, Ibiba Odili said about 14.3 million Nigerians aged between 15 and 64 are involved in drug abuse, with an increasing number of women now engaging in the habit.
She said, “2018 survey tells us that the most common drug abused in Nigeria is cannabis, which regrettably is cultivated mostly in the southwest region of Nigeria.
“That, one out of every four drug users is a woman. In 2018 data shows that more women are going into drug use. And if more women are going into drug use, it is a source of worry for us, because, it means that the traditional row of women in families and communities are caregivers, role models, and live moulders will be threatened, because what quality of children are these women going to raise.”