The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, last week led an anti-drug awareness campaign at Caleb University, Imota, calling for stronger prevention measures and sustained youth education against substance abuse.
The event, organised to mark the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, featured a campus walk, advocacy sessions and the inauguration of a student-led anti-drug club.
Dr Sanwo-Olu, speaking at the event, said drug abuse had become a growing public health and social threat, urging students to make deliberate choices that protect their future.
“Drug abuse is destroying health, productivity and life chances of young people,” she said, charging the students to “choose life, choose discipline, choose purpose.”
She warned that addiction affects all segments of society and should be addressed with empathy rather than stigma.
“Addiction cuts across age, gender and background. Victims need support, not condemnation,” she said.
The governor’s wife said her office had expanded partnerships with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, non-governmental organisations, faith groups and local authorities to strengthen awareness campaigns across Lagos.
She also referenced earlier university engagements, including campaigns at Lagos State University and the University of Lagos in 2025, which she said reached thousands of students.
At the event, she inaugurated the Caleb University War Against Drug Abuse Club and unveiled campus advocacy materials to sustain anti-drug messaging.
“We are building a network of young ambassadors who will champion a drug-free society,” she said.
Wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Oluremi Hamzat, said drug prevention required coordinated action from families, institutions and government.
“We must work together — parents, schools, faith leaders and government — to raise responsible and focused young people,” she said.
Vice Chancellor of Caleb University, Prof Olalekan Asikhia, said the institution remained committed to maintaining a drug-free environment and supporting student welfare initiatives.
He said universities must function beyond academics.
“Institutions must shape character as well as knowledge,” he said.
Deputy Commander of Narcotics, NDLEA Lagos Strategic Command, Titilope Ogunluyi, warned that peer pressure, trauma, unemployment and poor supervision were key drivers of drug abuse among young people.
She also highlighted legal consequences for drug-related offences, urging students to avoid illicit substances and support prevention campaigns.
An addiction recovery advocate, David Folaranmi, shared personal experiences of substance dependence, describing the long-term emotional and social consequences of addiction.
“Behind every statistic is a human story,” he said, calling for stronger investment in prevention, rehabilitation and community support systems.
The event ended with a campus awareness walk and the formal launch of student anti-drug advocacy structures.
