News
Corporate Organisations Must Get Involved in the Fight Against Substance Abuse in Nigeria
By Odunayo Sanya, Executive Director, MTN Foundation
In the shadows of Nigeria’s bustling streets, a silent epidemic rages on, devouring the lives of our youth and shattering the dreams of families. Substance abuse has become a hydra-headed monster, its tentacles spreading everywhere, leaving in its wake a trail of broken lives, shattered hopes, and a nation in peril.
Odunayo Sanya, Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation
The cries of mothers who have lost their children to the grip of addiction, the anguish of fathers who have seen their sons succumb to the allure of drugs, and the despair of communities ravaged by the consequences of substance abuse – these issues echo through the land, a haunting reminder of a crisis that threatens to consume us all.
The statistics are alarming; according to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria has one of the highest drug use prevalence rates in the world, with over fourteen million people using psychoactive substances. It reveals that 14.3% of Nigerians between age 15 to 64 have used drugs at least once in their lifetime. But behind these numbers lies a more poignant reality – a generation lost to the abyss of addiction, their potential, creativity, and innovation sacrificed on the altar of substance abuse. The Nigerian dream, once full of promise and hope, is fast becoming a nightmare, as the scourge of substance abuse threatens to undermine economic growth.
As we grapple with the challenges of nation-building, substance abuse poses a clear and present danger to our collective future. It is a ticking time bomb, waiting to unleash its full fury on our society, our economy, and our very way of life. And yet, we are sleepwalking into this catastrophe, oblivious to the devastation that awaits us. It is time to wake up, to confront this monster head-on, and to reclaim our nation from the grip of substance abuse. The future of Nigeria depends on it.
The consequences of substance abuse are multifaceted. It affects not only the individual but also their families, communities, and the nation at large. Substance abuse affects the mental and physical health of individuals, leading to increased cases of depression, anxiety, and even suicide. It also affects relationships, leading to family breakdowns, and social isolation. The impact on society is equally devastating, affecting productivity, leading to reduced economic output, and increased healthcare costs. Substance abuse is also linked to increased crime rates, violence, and social unrest.
The economic impact of substance abuse cannot be overstated. It affects productivity, leading to reduced economic output, and increased healthcare costs. Substance abuse also affects the workforce, leading to absenteeism, presenteeism, and reduced employee performance. According to a study by the World Health Organisation (WHO), substance abuse costs Nigeria over N100 billion annually.
As we struggle to rebuild our economy and create opportunities for our youth, substance abuse siphons off precious resources and talent. The billions spent on rehabilitation, healthcare, and law enforcement could be invested in education, infrastructure, and innovation. Instead, these resources have been disbursed to mitigate the damage caused by substance abuse. We owe it to ourselves, our children, and future generations to act decisively against this menace.
Corporate organisations in the country have a vital role to play in supporting the fight against substance abuse. One way to do this is through funding. Substance abuse initiatives require significant financial resources to implement effective prevention, treatment, and support programs.
The MTN Foundation, through its Anti-Substance Abuse Program (ASAP), is already making a significant impact in this area. ASAP is a comprehensive program that aims to reduce the prevalence of substance abuse among young people in Nigeria. By providing funding and resources, MTN Foundation is helping to support rehabilitation centres, counselling services, and public awareness campaigns.
There are alternative ways to support the fight against substance abuse, corporate organisations can lend their expertise to awareness and sensitization campaigns and provide in-kind donations. For example, they can provide venues for community events, expertise in areas of marketing and communications, and printing and distribution services. Additionally, corporate organisations can leverage their networks and influence to raise awareness about the dangers of substance abuse and promote initiatives aimed at preventing it.
At an internal level, corporate organisations should implement workplace policies and programs that prevent and address substance abuse. This can include employee assistance programs, drug testing, and substance abuse education and training. By creating a safe and supportive work environment, corporate organisations can help employees struggling with addiction to seek help and overcome their dependence on drugs.
In the United States, companies like CVS Health and Walmart have taken a stand against drug abuse by implementing programs to prevent opioid overdose and misuse. CVS Health, for example, has launched a program to provide naloxone, a medication that reverses opioid overdose, to patients without a prescription. Walmart, on the other hand, has implemented a system to track and prevent suspicious prescriptions, and provides disposal sites for unused medications.
In Europe, companies like IKEA and H&M are supporting the fight against drug abuse by partnering with organisations that provide treatment and support services. IKEA, for example, has partnered with the Swedish organisation, Länkarna, to provide job training and employment opportunities to people recovering from addiction. H&M has partnered with the UK-based organisation, Addaction, to provide funding and resources for treatment and support services.
Other companies, like Google and Facebook, are using their technology and platforms to support the fight against drug abuse. Google, for example, has launched a program to provide accurate and reliable information on substance abuse and treatment options through its search engine. Facebook has launched a program to provide resources and support services to people struggling with addiction, and partners with organisations to provide funding and expertise to support the fight against drug abuse.
Guinness Nigeria launched the ‘Drink Responsibly’ campaign, aimed at promoting responsible drinking habits and reducing the incidence of substance abuse. The company has also partnered with the Nigerian government and other organisations to support initiatives aimed at preventing and treating substance abuse. For example, Guinness Nigeria has provided funding and resources for the establishment of rehabilitation centres and counselling services for those struggling with addiction. These efforts demonstrate the commitment of Nigerian companies to supporting the fight against drug abuse and promoting a healthier and more responsible society.
The government, through the NDLEA, should encourage the private sector to get more involved in this fight. The agency has already shown commitment to this, even in the partnership with MTN Foundation on the ASAP programme. MTN’s involvement has been substantial, including advocacy walks, stakeholder conferences, and the inclusion of white papers. In 2024, the programme reached 87,000 students and trained 1,440 teachers across Nigeria. More such partnerships are essential because this is a collective fight. There is a need to undertake more of such partnerships because it is everyone’s fight .
As we confront the scourge of substance abuse in Nigeria, it is heartening to see corporate organisations stepping up to the plate. By providing funding, resources, and expertise, companies like MTN and Guinness are helping to stem the tide of addiction and despair that threatens to engulf our youth. But this is not just a moral imperative – it is an economic and social one too. For if we fail to act, we risk losing an entire generation to the abyss of substance abuse, with devastating consequences for our families, communities, and nation.
So let us salute these corporate champions and urge others to follow their lead. Together, we can create a Nigeria where our young people are empowered to reach their full potential, free from the shackles of addiction. A Nigeria where families are not torn apart by substance abuse, and communities are not ravaged by its consequences. It is a future worth fighting for, and one that we can achieve if we work together. The time to act is now – let us join forces to create a brighter, healthier future for ourselves, our children, and our nation.
INTERPOL’s African Cyberthreat Assessment Report 2026 revealed that Artificial intelligence accounts for 55 per cent of reported cybercrimes across Africa and making attacks faster, more sophisticated and increasingly difficult to detect.
The report warns that the continent’s rapid digital transformation, marked by more than 1.1 billion mobile subscribers in 2025, is being matched by an equally rapid evolution in cybercrime, while fragmented legislation and limited AI readiness among law enforcement agencies continue to weaken responses.
The 40-page assessment, based on survey data from 36 African member countries, said cybercrime has shifted from isolated criminal activity to an industrialised, borderless ecosystem powered by AI.
According to the report, East Africa has become a hotspot for mobile money fraud and ransomware attacks targeting critical infrastructure, while business email compromise (BEC) and romance scams are widespread across Central and West Africa.
Southern Africa, it noted, has become an attractive target for international cybercriminals due to its high level of internet connectivity.
The report also highlighted the growing financial impact of cybercrime across the continent, revealing that losses have more than doubled since 2024, rising from 192 million dollars to 484 million dollars.
It attributed the increase largely to AI-enabled scams, credential harvesting and automated social engineering attacks.
INTERPOL said online scams remained the most commonly reported form of cybercrime in 2025, with criminals exploiting mobile money platforms, social media and AI-generated content to deceive victims.
It added that 72 per cent of surveyed countries reported the existence of scam centres, with the highest concentration recorded in Southern and West Africa.
The report further identified digital sextortion and online harassment as persistent threats, driven increasingly by AI-generated deepfakes and synthetic media.
According to data from TrendAI, one of INTERPOL’s partners, about 600,000 sextortion incidents were detected during the reporting period.
Business email compromise schemes have also become more sophisticated, with AI being used to generate highly convincing email communications.
The report said Africa-based threat actors are increasingly targeting victims in Europe and North America using cyber infrastructure spread across multiple jurisdictions.
INTERPOL warned that the absence of real-time information sharing between banks, telecommunications companies and law enforcement agencies has created significant vulnerabilities in tackling financial cybercrime.
It said cybercriminals are no longer relying solely on stolen credentials but are now creating AI-generated synthetic identities by combining genuine personal information with fabricated details.
These synthetic identities, the report noted, have been used to bypass biometric verification systems, open bank accounts, obtain mobile loans and register SIM cards under false identities.
Neal Jetton, Director of INTERPOL’s Cybercrime Directorate, described cybercrime as one of the most significant criminal threats facing Africa.
“Cybercrime has emerged as one of the most significant criminal threats to the region. AI is automating every stage of a cyberattack from reconnaissance and phishing to extortion and evasion.
“However, we see that when countries work together, cybercriminal infrastructure can be identified, disrupted and dismantled,” he said.
Despite the growing threat, the report highlighted progress in strengthening cybersecurity across the continent.
It disclosed that 17 African countries enacted or amended cybercrime legislation in 2025, while Senegal launched an online reporting platform to improve responses to online offences affecting children.
The report also noted that regional capacity-building initiatives are helping to improve long-term cyber resilience.
INTERPOL said four major cybercrime operations conducted in 2025, Operation Serengeti 2.0, Operation Contender 3.0, Operation Sentinel and Operation Red Card 2.0, resulted in more than 1,500 arrests, the seizure of hundreds of electronic devices and the recovery of over 100 million dollars.
To address the growing threat, the report recommended the adoption of standardised digital forensic capabilities, stronger cross-border collaboration, greater investment in AI literacy for law enforcement personnel and formal public-private partnerships to improve cybercrime prevention, detection and response.
The African Cyberthreat Assessment 2026 forms part of INTERPOL’s African Joint Operation against Cybercrime initiative, funded by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, with data contributions from Fortinet, Mastercard, the Shadowserver Foundation, S2W and TrendAI.
Nigerian students will soon design, assemble, test and fly drones as part of their university education, following a partnership between Miva Open University and Abuja-based defence technology company Terra Industries.
The collaboration comes as Nigeria intensifies efforts to develop indigenous capabilities in advanced manufacturing and defence technology, with both organisations seeking to strengthen Africa’s pipeline of deep-tech talent.
The partnership will see students gain hands-on experience in drone engineering and related technologies through dedicated labs and industry collaboration.
The partners will establish robotics, drone and virtual reality laboratories across Miva’s study centres, beginning with a pilot facility in Abuja.
Students will also gain access to industry-led workshops, research opportunities, internships and mentorship in artificial intelligence, robotics, cybersecurity and autonomous systems.
According to the partners, Terra’s engineering teams will work alongside Miva faculty to integrate hands-on hardware training into academic programmes, exposing students to real-world engineering challenges and building industry experience before graduation.
Nathan Nwachuku, co-founder and CEO of Terra Industries, said Africa’s technological future depends on developing engineers capable of building solutions for local challenges.
“The engineers who will build Africa’s future must learn by building. This partnership creates opportunities for students to work with the technologies shaping modern security, infrastructure and autonomous systems,” said Nwachuku.
Miva Open University said the initiative forms part of its commitment to experiential learning, adding that students will have the opportunity to “design, test and fly drones as part of their academic experience”.
The partnership builds on Terra’s expanding role in Nigeria’s defence technology sector. Earlier this year, the company signed a joint venture with the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria to localise the production of drones, robotics systems and cybersecurity infrastructure, supporting efforts to strengthen domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on imports.
Atte Ayodeji, a Nigerian computer scientist,has developed an artificial intelligence algorithm capable of detecting, counting, grouping and generating healthy hair follicles during hair transplant procedures, an innovation that earned him the Best Innovative Technology award.
Atte Ayodeji
Ayodeji also graduated with a Distinction in his Master of Science (MSc) in Computer Science from Birmingham City University on Friday, adding another milestone to an impressive academic year.
Beyond his award-winning hair transplant innovation, the Nigerian researcher developed a system and framework on Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) as a professional responsibility in the diagnosis of lung cancer.
His dissertation received a silver award at the PGXPO2026 Winter, further highlighting the impact of his research in applying artificial intelligence to healthcare.
Sunday Dare, special adviser on Media and Public Communication to President Tinubu, celebrated Ayodeji’s achievements in a post on X, recalling how he first met him in 2019 during his National Youth Service.
“In 2019 when I became a Minister of the Republic, I met a young man of medium height, genteel with penetrating eyes: Atte Ayodeji. His words rarely come out and he could easily be passed by unnoticed. But I noticed him especially when my SA Kemi Areola brought him to me asking my approval for him to do his Youth Service in my office. I approved. From then on he was unstoppable. His brilliance shown and he developed skills beyond his frame.”
Highlighting Ayodeji’s recent accomplishments, Dare congratulated him saying, “Congratulations Atte. I am proud of you!”
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