The Kwara State Government has expressed concern over the increasing rate of drug abuse among young people, warning that the trend poses serious risks to public health, security, and the future of the youth population in the state.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq raised the alarm on Tuesday in Ilorin during the Anti-Substance Abuse Programme Stakeholders Conference organised by the MTN Foundation to mark the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
The event brought together stakeholders, including representatives of the state government, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, and the MTN Foundation, all of whom called for stronger collaboration to address substance abuse.
Describing drug abuse as a growing societal challenge, AbdulRazaq said it goes beyond law enforcement and should be treated as a public health and developmental issue.
“Drug abuse is not merely a law enforcement issue; it is a public health concern, a developmental challenge, and a threat to the future of our youths,” the governor said.
He warned that the increasing availability of synthetic drugs and evolving trafficking networks were exposing more young people to substance abuse, with far-reaching consequences for society.
“It undermines educational attainment, destroys families, fuels criminal activities, affects productivity, and places significant strain on healthcare and social welfare systems,” he added.
The governor disclosed that the state had introduced a multi-pronged strategy to tackle the problem, focusing on prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and enforcement. He also revealed plans for mandatory drug testing in tertiary institutions across the state as part of early detection efforts.
“This policy is not intended to stigmatise or punish young people. Rather, it is a proactive measure aimed at early detection, timely intervention and the provision of appropriate support services,” he explained.
AbdulRazaq further announced that work was ongoing on a specialised rehabilitation centre that would serve Kwara residents and neighbouring states once completed.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Social Development, Mariam Nna-Fatima, representing the First Lady, Olufolake AbdulRazaq, stressed the need for collective action in addressing drug abuse.
“This challenge cannot be left to government alone. Parents, schools, religious institutions, community leaders, development partners and the private sector all have important roles to play,” she said.
She urged a shift from awareness campaigns to concrete intervention strategies.
“Together, let us move from awareness to action because every child saved from drug abuse is a future secured for Kwara State and Nigeria,” she added.
The MTN Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to combating substance abuse through its Anti-Substance Abuse Programme, launched in 2019. The foundation said it is expanding outreach to 50 public secondary schools across 10 states and the Federal Capital Territory, targeting over 20,000 students.
NDLEA Commander in Kwara State, Fatima Popoola, noted that the state’s geographical position makes it a transit route for illicit drugs, increasing vulnerability among youths.
“Kwara State is at a very strategic location and a lot of drug activities transiting from the South to the North have a spillover effect on the state,” she said.
She also linked drug abuse to rising insecurity, urging parents and community leaders to take active roles in prevention.
The Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Lawal Olohungbebe, also called for stronger community involvement in tackling substance abuse, stressing that collective responsibility is key to lasting solutions.
Drug abuse remains a major concern across Nigeria, with authorities warning that rising access to illicit and prescription drugs continues to fuel crime, school dropouts, and mental health challenges among young people.
