Pharmacists Urge Tinubu To Declare Drug Abuse A National Emergency Amid Rising Crisis.
The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has issued an urgent call to President Bola Tinubu to declare drug abuse a national emergency, citing its devastating impact on the nation’s youth, public health, and societal stability. The plea was made in a statement released to mark the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on 26 June, highlighting the escalating crisis of substance misuse across Nigeria.
In a strongly worded statement, ACPN National Chairman, Pharm. Ezeh Ambrose Igwekamma, described drug abuse as a “silent crisis” that is wreaking havoc on communities nationwide. He warned that the unchecked proliferation of illicit drugs, including the misuse of prescription medications like codeine-based cough syrups and tramadol, is fuelling a surge in mental health disorders, crime, school dropouts, family breakdowns, and premature deaths. “Every tablet sold without a prescription, every bottle of codeine cough syrup diverted, and every hard drug traded illegally is not just a crime—it is a threat to our collective future,” Igwekamma declared.
The ACPN’s call aligns with the 2025 World Drug Day theme, “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention,” which underscores the need for proactive measures to curb substance abuse. Igwekamma emphasised that community pharmacists, often the first point of contact for healthcare in many communities, are witnessing the devastating effects of drug misuse, particularly among young people. He cited alarming statistics from a 2018 National Drug Use Survey, which revealed that 14.4% of Nigerians aged 15–64—approximately 14.3 million people—have engaged in non-medical drug use, nearly triple the global average.
The Kaduna State branch of the ACPN further highlighted the scale of the crisis, noting that an estimated 2.4 million Nigerians misuse cough syrups containing codeine and dextromethorphan, with usage almost equally prevalent among men and women. Pharmacist Aliyu Jibrin, speaking at a two-day conference in Kaduna, underscored the physical, psychological, social, and economic consequences of this trend, warning that one in eight Nigerians has suffered due to another person’s drug abuse.
Adding weight to the pharmacists’ appeal, Ogbodo Kelvin, a senior student at Government Secondary School, Area 10, Garki, Abuja, penned an impassioned open letter to President Tinubu. The letter, which has gained significant attention, described drug abuse as a “national emergency” that is eroding the fabric of Nigerian society. Kelvin pointed to porous borders, inadequate law enforcement, and the easy availability of addictive substances as key drivers of the crisis. He identified peer pressure, depression, poor parental guidance, and media influence as root causes, with devastating outcomes including mental illness, suicide, crime, and economic instability.
Kelvin proposed a four-point action plan to address the crisis: a nationwide public education campaign to raise awareness, the establishment of rehabilitation centres for addicted youth, stricter legislation to dismantle drug trafficking networks, and tighter regulation of prescription drugs to prevent misuse. “The future of Nigeria’s youth—and the nation as a whole—depends on swift, decisive action,”
The ACPN has urged the federal government to strengthen regulations on the distribution of controlled substances and empower pharmacists to play a greater role in early intervention, counselling, and rehabilitation efforts. Igwekamma highlighted the association’s long-standing National Anti-Drug Abuse Competition among secondary schools, which has educated young Nigerians about the dangers of substance misuse for over a decade, aligning with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) prevention strategies.
President Tinubu has also weighed in on the issue, calling for a national movement to combat drug abuse during his keynote address at the 2025 World Drug Day commemoration in Abuja. Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, Tinubu stressed that the fight must involve families, faith leaders, civil society, youth groups, and individuals with lived experience. “We must foster peace, promote inclusive development, and uphold human rights every step of the way,” he said, noting that poverty, inequality, and conflict are key drivers of drug abuse.
The President commended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and its chairman, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd.), for their globally recognised efforts in reducing both drug supply and demand. Marwa, in his remarks, described prevention as a “national emergency” given Nigeria’s population of over 230 million and the high prevalence of drug use. He highlighted the NDLEA’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, which has reached millions through over 11,000 sensitisation programmes and weekly media campaigns across the country.
The ACPN’s call has been echoed by other stakeholders, including Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who emphasised the importance of prevention in protecting the nation’s youth. “Every child in Nigeria deserves to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment, free from the devastating grip of drug abuse,” she said in a statement marking World Drug Day.
Experts warn that without aggressive interventions, Nigeria risks a full-blown public health emergency that could exacerbate existing social and economic challenges. The ACPN and other advocates are calling for multi-sectoral collaboration, including stronger partnerships between government agencies, healthcare professionals, and community leaders, to address the crisis comprehensively.
As the nation grapples with this growing menace, the message from pharmacists, students, and leaders is clear: urgent action is needed to safeguard Nigeria’s future. The call for a state of emergency on drug abuse underscores the critical need for prevention, enforcement, and rehabilitation to break the cycle of addiction and its far-reaching consequences.
