Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has raised concerns over the growing menace of substance abuse, describing it as a major threat to Nigeria’s future and warning that its consequences extend far beyond public health to affect education, security, economic growth and social stability.
The governor made the remarks in a keynote address delivered on his behalf by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, during a stakeholders’ conference organised by the MTN Foundation in Enugu to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Mbah stressed that substance abuse has become a multidimensional challenge requiring urgent and coordinated action from all sectors of society.
“Substance abuse is more than a health issue. It is a development issue, a security issue, an educational issue and a social issue. Its consequences extend beyond the individual to families, communities, institutions and the wider economy,” he said.
The governor noted that addressing the problem cannot be left to government alone, emphasizing the need for a united effort involving families, schools, religious institutions, traditional leaders, civil society groups, development partners, security agencies, the media and the private sector.
“The complexity of substance abuse demands a whole-of-society approach. Students, parents, teachers, religious institutions, traditional leaders, the private sector, development partners, security agencies and the media all have critical roles to play,” he added.
Mbah highlighted his administration’s investments in youth development, education, healthcare and human capital as part of broader efforts to protect young people from harmful influences and create opportunities for them to thrive.
According to him, the ongoing construction of 267 Smart Green Schools across the state’s wards is designed to equip young people with the knowledge, skills and values needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving world.
He also pointed to the establishment of modern Type-2 primary healthcare centres across Enugu State as evidence of the government’s commitment to improving access to quality healthcare services, including mental health and psychosocial support.
The governor emphasized that prevention remains the most effective weapon against substance abuse, noting that empowered and engaged youths are less likely to fall victim to drug-related problems.
“When young people are educated, engaged, empowered and inspired, they are less vulnerable to harmful influences and destructive behaviours,” he said.
Mbah further called for a shift in societal attitudes toward people struggling with addiction, urging Nigerians to embrace rehabilitation and recovery rather than stigma and condemnation.
“As a society, we must increasingly view addiction through the lens of public health and rehabilitation rather than condemnation. Many affected individuals require support, treatment, counselling and reintegration,” he stated.
Earlier, the Executive Director of the MTN Foundation, Mrs. Odunayo Sanya, said the organisation launched the MTN Anti-Substance Abuse Programme in 2019 to curb the rising rate of drug use among young Nigerians.
She lamented the devastating effects of substance abuse on individuals and families, recalling how many promising young people had lost their potential due to addiction.
“I personally know people who started out as extremely brilliant and intelligent individuals but got lost along the way because of substance abuse. From taking drugs, people begin to lie, steal and lose themselves completely. Families suffer immensely because of it,” she said.
Sanya disclosed that the foundation plans to reach more than 30,000 additional students this year through awareness campaigns, school-based interventions, and educational competitions aimed at promoting drug-free lifestyles.
The conference brought together stakeholders from government, education, healthcare, civil society and the private sector, all united in the call for stronger preventive measures and sustained efforts to protect Nigerian youths from the dangers of substance abuse.