Substance Abuse Campaign, Everyone’s Fight – Executive Director, MTN Foundation

Odunayo Sanya, the Executive Director of the MTN Foundation has called on all Nigerians to join the fight against drug abuse under the Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP). To advance the message against substance abuse in Nigeria and safeguard the well-being of the youths, the Foundation has spearheaded advocacy walks in three Nigerian cities; Port Harcourt, Lagos and Abuja.

MTN ASAP has grown into a multi-stakeholder and sectoral behaviour change initiative aimed at reducing the rate of first-time substance abuse amongst young Nigerians aged between 15-25 years.

Odunayo Sanya elaborated on the programme which covers the advocacy walks, a stakeholder conference and a host of activities. “The core message of our Anti-Substance Abuse campaign #ASAP at the MTN Foundation is that ‘it is everyone’s fight, it is my fight, your fight and indeed our fight because their high is our low.’ The singular objective of the #ASAP campaign is to reduce the rate of first-time abuse amongst youths aged 10-25 years.

“According to the UNODC, substance abuse will increase by 40% in Africa by 2030. Nigeria is expected to represent a chunk of the 40% due to its population and large youth demography. And so, at the MTN Nigeria Foundation, we refuse to be onlookers, our sleeves are rolled up and we are lending our voice to this campaign.

“This year, in partnership with the #NDLEA, UNODC and other Civil Society Organizations, our advocacy walk took place in Rivers, Lagos and Abuja. Every first step signified our resolve to fight substance abuse and we dedicated every last step as a prayer of strength for those in the contraption of substance abuse. The stakeholder conference in Lagos was quite enlightening.

“Our target is to reach 87,000 students and 1,440 teachers with the #ASAP message in 2024. Our clarion call is that you join us in your corner by being a light to the young ones,” she said.

This year’s World Drug Day theme, “The evidence is clear: invest in prevention,” resonates strongly with the mission of MTN ASAP. It underscores the importance of adopting a scientific evidence-based approach that prioritises prevention and treatment. The global drug problem presents a multifaceted challenge that touches the lives of millions worldwide. Central to addressing this challenge is the imperative to adopt a scientific evidence-based approach that prioritises prevention and treatment.