As Nigeria celebrated International Youth Day on Wednesday, the Frontline Advocacy Initiative (FAI) urged young people to stay away from illegal drugs. They also called on governments to put more money into addiction treatment and rehab services.
International Youth Day happens every year on August 12. It focuses on issues that affect young people and encourages them to take part in social and economic growth. The theme for the 2026 event is “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations.”
In a statement, Shakirudeen Bankole, the Founder and Executive Director of FAI, shared his worries about drug use among young people. He pointed out that there are not enough treatment and rehab services for those who struggle with addiction.
Mr Bankole, who is also the President of the Alimosho Youth Development Association of Nigeria (AYDAN), said his worries come from his work with young people and what he sees in Lagos State communities.
"As the President of AYDAN, in my daily travels across the large local government area of Lagos State, I see the harsh effects of drug use and abuse every day," he said.
"I watch young lives waste away, beyond recovery. I see how the drug culture leads to violence, crime, and more health problems. We cannot keep going this way."
Drug use among young people
Mr Bankole highlighted cannabis, tramadol, codeine mixtures, cocaine, methamphetamine, and fake ecstasy as drugs of concern. He warned young people not to try illegal drugs, saying that using them can have serious effects on their health.
He explained that addiction can happen even if someone does not plan to become addicted. This is because drugs can change how the brain works, affecting reward, motivation, mood, judgement, and behaviour.
FAI said we need to prevent young people from starting drug use. This needs to include providing treatment for those already struggling with addiction.
Treatment gap
FAI also pointed out the lack of treatment options for people dealing with drug dependence and mental health issues. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) lists 31 rehab centres in Nigeria and has plans to add more.
At the same time, the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria mentioned there are fewer than 200 psychiatrists for over 200 million people. Mr Bankole said this shortage shows we need to invest more in rehab and mental health services, especially in crowded urban areas.
FAI urged the federal and state governments to quickly set up more rehab and addiction treatment centres across the country. They also called for grants, scholarships, and training for Nigerians studying clinical psychology, psychiatry, and other therapy fields.
They want to keep mental health professionals in Nigeria to prevent them from leaving the country. "Prevention is important, but prevention without treatment is not enough. We need more rehab centres, more psychologists, more psychiatrists, and more trained therapists," Mr Bankole said.
Community responsibility
FAI also wants families, schools, religious groups, community leaders, and government agencies to get more involved in stopping drug abuse among young people. They believe drug prevention should be a community effort, not just something for law enforcement.
"To our young people, I say this: your future is worth more than a temporary high. Don't let peer pressure, frustration, or curiosity steal your future. Let us make a change," Mr Bankole added.
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