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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.
The Nigerian Insurers Association has urged the House Committee on Capital Market and Institutions to respect the constitutional separation of powers as it carries out a probe on over 20 insurance firms.
In a statement on Tuesday night, the Director General/Chief Executive Officer of NIA, Mrs Bola Odukale, said the decision of NIA and the affected firms to approach the court was to seek clarity on the constitutional limits of the House Committee’s probe.
It would be recalled that the House of Representatives on Monday is investigating no fewer than 25 insurance companies operating in the country for various financial infractions spanning financial reporting, claims settlement, premium remittance, and issuance of policies.
The Chairman, House Sub-Committee on Capital Market and Institutions, Kwamoti Laori, during a meeting with the management of the insurance companies at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, said the meeting was convened following the receipt of a petition on infractions by the insurance companies.
In the statement, Odukale said, “The Association wishes to state unequivocally that all actions taken by the NIA and the affected member companies in response to the Committee’s invitations and pronouncements were based entirely on legal advice by its Solicitors. It was on the firm instruction of legal counsel that recourse was made to the courts.
“The objective of approaching the Court is to seek judicial guidance on the legality, propriety, and constitutional limits of the Committee’s intervention in order to safeguard institutional integrity, uphold regulatory independence, and ensure that legislative oversight remains within the bounds of law.
“The Court action seeks to determine whether the current posture of the Committee reflects an exercise of legislative judgment, which, by constitutional design, is the exclusive province of statutory regulators, such as the National Insurance Commission, Securities and Exchange Commission, Nigerian Exchange, Financial Reporting Council, Nigeria Data Protection Commission, and the National Information Technology Development Agency.
“This raises serious questions about legislative overreach and an erosion of the doctrine of separation of powers, a cornerstone of Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.”
Odukale maintained that the NIA was committed to lawful and constructive engagement with all arms of government, provided that such engagement respects the autonomy of statutory regulators and the boundaries established by the Constitution.
“The NIA will continue to provide its full support to all member companies while upholding the principles of legal compliance and sector-wide integrity,” Odukale concluded.
17 of the companies that went to court were represented by their lawyer, Mr Abimbola Kayode, at the meeting with the committee.
Finance ministers and development partners from the Horn of Africa have called for enhanced digital integration to boost trade, drive economic growth and promote regional stability during the 25th Ministerial Meeting of the Horn of Africa Initiative (HoAI).
Held in Nairobi, on July 14, the meeting was co-chaired by the African Development Bank’s Vice President for Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery, Nnenna Nwabufo and Somalia’s Minister of Finance, Bihi Iman Egeh. Discussions underscored the critical role of digital integration in reducing trade barriers, boosting government service delivery and creating employment — particularly for the region’s youth.
“Digital technologies are shaping today’s economy and tomorrow’s industries. By embedding these technologies into our programs, we can not only improve inclusion but also leapfrog outdated development models,” said Nwabufo.
She called for digital integration a “central enabler” in each of the Horn of Africa Initiative’s pillars – trade, infrastructure, resilience, and human capital,
Learning through experience
Drawing from global and regional success stories, speakers highlighted the transformative potential of technology-led development. The ministers pointed to the Philippines as a strong example, where ICT has generated millions of jobs in business process outsourcing. Similarly, Kenya’s fintech innovation—especially the success of M-PESA—was cited as a model for scaling digital financial services across the region.
Participants urged governments to proactively foster digital ecosystems by capitalizing on the demographic dividend, identifying infrastructure upgrades, tighter regulatory reforms, and digital skills trainings as priorities to enable broader participation in the digital economy.
Minister Egeh reiterated the need for more coordinated regional efforts to create the enabling environment required for accelerated digital integration and expansion. He referenced the HoAI Digital Policy Matrix, adopted in 2023 which provides a blueprint on how to address key obstacles to achieving effective digital integration across the region.
Barack Makokha, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury, underscored the importance of regionally-aligned public private partnerships and advocated for blended financing to reduce investment risk and expand digital access in underserved areas.
World Bank Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa, Ndiame Diop, called for a comprehensive multi-pronged approach, combining cross-border coordination, large-scale financing, robust policy support, and digital infrastructure investments. He pointed out that such measures could transform digital integration into, “a powerful engine of economic transformation” for the Horn of Africa—ensuring no one is left behind in the digital era.
The meeting concluded with a shared recognition that sustained political will and the determination to implement a multifaceted approach are essential to unlocking the region’s economic potential and driving long-term growth.
The event also welcomed observers from the East African Community, Agence française de développement, and Shelter Afrique, reflecting strong regional and international backing for the HoAI in the development community.
Central Securities Clearing System Plc (CSCS), Nigeria’s capital market infrastructure provider, has launched its Custodian Portal, a user-centric digital solution designed to optimise custodian operations through intuitive, secure and efficient features.
Haruna Jalo-Waziri, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), CSCS, announced this in a statement on Monday.
The CSCS is a Public Limited Company with a diversified shareholder base, which serves as the Central Securities Depository for the Nigerian Capital Market.
It serves as the Central Depository for Equities, Commercial Papers, Corporate Bonds, Sub-National Bonds, certain Sovereign Bonds like the FGN Sukuk and the FGN Savings Bond, Equity-traded Funds, Real Estate Investment Trusts, Mutual funds and Commodities.
Jalo-Waziri said that the custodian portal offered a streamlined experience for market participants with powerful tools that facilitate comprehensive portfolio and trade management, document tracking, share transfer operations, client symbol search, and real-time access to vital data.
He explained that the portal, designed to operate through a flexible subscription-based model, empowered users to manage their records effortlessly and securely through convenient payment channels such as GTPay and Paystack.
According to him, “Digital transformation remains at the core of our strategy to enhance the efficiency, transparency and accessibility of Nigeria’s capital market services.
“The custodian portal is a significant leap in that direction, offering custodians a centralised platform to manage critical processes in real-time.
“We are excited about the value this innovation brings to our stakeholders, and we will continue to evolve the platform in line with users’ needs and industry trends.”
The CEO also explained that the portal was designed with user experience in mind with feature tools like portfolio viewing and downloads in PDF or Excel format.
He further said that it also featured tracking of stock movements across date ranges, inbox messaging and request tracking, as well as robust user management capabilities including role assignment and status tracking.
Similarly, the Divisional Head, Business Technology and Digital Innovation, CSCS Plc, Tobe Nnadozie, said that the portal aligned with CSCS’s drive to automate the market.
“In addition to the normal features, the platform is a part of an omnichannel platform for custodians, and includes API services.
“It also connects to the market-wide workflow, which CSCS has built to ensure secured communication and approvals across all major stakeholders in the market.
“The platform is well secured with best-of-breed cybersecurity solutions and our SOC,” he said.
The Custodian Portal reinforces CSCS’s commitment to leveraging technology to streamline back-office functions and support a more agile, data-driven capital market ecosystem.
All custodians in the Nigerian capital market have now been successfully on-boarded on the Custodian Portal, marking a significant milestone in CSCS’s ongoing drive to enhance collaboration, standardise operational processes, and promote digital adoption across the market.
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