Substance abuse has become one of the most alarming challenges facing Nigerian youths today. What once seemed like isolated incidents has evolved into a prevalent trend, steadily undermining mental health, physical well-being, and the future potential of a generation expected to drive innovation and national progress – the often touted ‘leaders of tomorrow’. Across urban centres and rural communities, addiction to drugs and psychotropic substances, alcohol and tobacco is pulling countless young people into destructive cycles that erode academic performance, impair judgment, and diminish their ability to contribute meaningfully to society.
National data show that substance abuse in Nigeria is alarmingly high by global standards. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, about 14.4 per cent of Nigerians aged 15 to 64, roughly 14.3 million people, have used psychoactive substances, nearly three times the global average. More than three million Nigerians are estimated to be living with drug use disorders, confirming that this is a major public health challenge rather than a fringe problem.
Among young people, the pattern is particularly disturbing. Data from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the Federal Ministry of Education indicate that 13.6 per cent of secondary school students in Lagos State have experimented with drugs, while 6.9 per cent are already active users. Earlier national surveys also suggest that up to 40 per cent of Nigerians aged 18 to 35 have had significant exposure to illicit substances, showing how deeply drug use has penetrated the country’s most productive age group.
Beyond statistics, the human cost of substance abuse is visible in personal stories that Nigerians increasingly recognise. In March 2024, Afrobeats star Timaya publicly revealed his struggle with MDMA addiction during the COVID-19 lockdown. He explained how the substance, introduced by younger people around him, initially produced constant happiness but later resulted in severe weight loss, financial strain, and lost business opportunities. His admission that recovery was a “tough fight” shows how quickly experimentation can turn into dependency, even among successful individuals. Similarly, Nollywood actress Toyin Abraham has spoken about her past abuse of codeine and other hard drugs, describing how addiction damaged her career, isolated her from loved ones, and distorted her self-image before she sought help through therapy and discipline. These stories resonate because they reflect the hidden struggles of many Nigerians without access to support or recovery platforms.
The lingering effects of substance abuse extend far beyond individual experiences. Addiction reduces concentration, motivation, and emotional regulation, often leading to poor academic performance, school dropout, and diminished employability. Medical research links early and prolonged drug use to higher risks of depression, anxiety, and long-term cognitive impairment. In a country already grappling with unemployment and limited mental health infrastructure, these outcomes translate into lost human capital and increased social strain. Families bear emotional and financial burdens, while communities face rising insecurity and social dislocation.
The geographic spread of substance abuse further illustrates the scale of the crisis. NDLEA prevalence data show that states in the North-West, including Kano, Zamfara, Katsina, and Kebbi, record drug-use rates ranging between 10 and 16 per cent. These figures challenge the assumption that substance abuse is an urban or southern problem alone. Across regions, the most commonly abused substances include cannabis, tramadol, codeine-based cough syrups, MDMA, methamphetamine, and synthetic cannabinoids, many of which are easily obtained through informal markets.
The circulation of illegal and misused drugs in Nigeria is sustained by a complex mix of structural factors. Poverty, joblessness, and limited recreational alternatives push many youths toward experimentation. Rogue online pharmacies and unregulated patent medicine stores, commonly known as “chemists,” sell prescription drugs without oversight, enabling abuse of tramadol, codeine, and other controlled substances. Porous borders, corruption, weak policing, and inadequate rehabilitation facilities further allow drug markets to operate with minimal resistance.
Cultural signals also play a role. In music, films, and social media, drug use is sometimes portrayed casually or glamorised, dulling awareness of its dangers. While these depictions may not intentionally promote abuse, they contribute to an environment where risk is minimised and consequences are rarely emphasised. This normalisation reinforces peer pressure and sustains cycles of experimentation and dependency.
Nigeria has taken steps to respond. The NDLEA has intensified seizures, awareness campaigns, and international cooperation, recording thousands of arrests and large-scale drug seizures annually. Legislative debates and regulatory actions by NAFDAC have also sought to tighten control over pharmaceutical distribution. Yet enforcement gaps, weak monitoring at retail points, and limited social investment mean that drugs remain accessible and rehabilitation options scarce.
Addressing substance abuse therefore requires more than arrests and seizures. Drug education must be integrated into schools from an early age, combining scientific information with life-skills training. Community mentorship programmes can provide guidance and alternatives for vulnerable youths. Rehabilitation centres need expansion, proper funding, and integration into public health systems, ensuring that recovery is treated as care rather than punishment. Economic empowerment through skills training and employment opportunities is equally vital, as sustained hopelessness often fuels addiction.
The campaign against substance abuse in Nigeria is both a humanitarian obligation and a strategic necessity. A country that allows its youth to drift into addiction undermines its own future. By confronting the socio-cultural and institutional drivers of drug abuse, and supporting recovery with evidence-based policies, Nigeria can begin to reclaim the energy, creativity, and promise of its young population and work towards ensuring that youths, are indeed, the leaders of tomorrow.
