Firm launches student-led drug advocacy club
The Haven of Victory Development Foundation (HOVI) has launched the National University Students Drug Advocacy Club (NU-SDAC), a student-driven initiative aimed at addressing concerns around drug and substance use in Nigerian tertiary institutions. The initiative was unveiled at a high-level stakeholders’ forum in Abuja, bringing together representatives from government agencies, civil society organisations, and academia […]
The Haven of Victory Development Foundation (HOVI) has launched the National University Students Drug Advocacy Club (NU-SDAC), a student-driven initiative aimed at addressing concerns around drug and substance use in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
The initiative was unveiled at a high-level stakeholders’ forum in Abuja, bringing together representatives from government agencies, civil society organisations, and academia to explore coordinated responses to the issue, which participants described as a growing public health and development concern.
Speaking at the event, HOVI’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Tochukwu Victoria Nwanna, expressed concern over trends observed in some university environments, noting that substance use is increasingly becoming a subject of discussion among stakeholders in the education sector.
She described the situation as a challenge with potential implications for human capital development, workforce readiness, and long-term economic growth.
“This issue goes beyond campuses. It has implications for the future workforce and national development,” she said.
Stakeholders at the forum referenced survey data suggesting that millions of Nigerians within the 15 to 64 age bracket have had some level of exposure to drugs, highlighting the need for sustained awareness and preventive measures.
Providing further perspective, Freedom Onuoha linked the trend to evolving social and cultural dynamics, including the influence of digital platforms and changing patterns of parental and institutional engagement, which he said may shape young people’s behaviours.
Also speaking, Dankolo Shehu Mohammed of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency noted that drug-related issues are increasingly intersecting with broader security concerns. He cited reports indicating that some criminal elements have incorporated substances into illicit activities, underscoring the need for comprehensive responses.
In his remarks, Joseph Unongu of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons advocated for a multi-pronged approach based on prevention, protection, prosecution, partnership, and policy.
Similarly, Jerry Ugokwe, Chairman of the Presidential Special Committee on Campaign Against Social Vices, emphasised that addressing the issue requires collaboration among government institutions, communities, and students.
At the core of the NU-SDAC initiative is a peer-led intervention model. Nwanna explained that the programme is designed to empower students to serve as advocates, using peer engagement to promote awareness and encourage positive behavioural choices on campuses.
The initiative will establish advocacy clubs across universities and introduce a technology-driven platform to support anonymous reporting, incident documentation, and access to counselling services.
The forum concluded with an advocacy session led by Uzoma Ezeson, during which stakeholders reiterated the importance of sustained collaboration, increased investment in youth-focused and mental health programmes, and continued engagement on substance use prevention.
With the launch of NU-SDAC, participants noted that young people are being encouraged to play an active role in promoting healthier communities and contributing to national development.