On July 9, 2025, MTN Foundation convened key stakeholders from across government, healthcare, education, security, civil society, and the private sector for its annual Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP) Conference in Lagos.

Held at the MTN Rooftop, Ikoyi, the event brought together leading voices including Dr. Mosun Olusoga, Chairman of the MTN Foundation; Barrister Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, Secretary to the Lagos State Government; Dr. Tolu Ajomale, Director, Special Projects and Mental Health, LASG Ministry of Health, representing Prof. Akin Abayomi, Honourable Commissioner for Health, Lagos State; and Archieabia Ibinabo FSI, Assistant Commander General of Narcotics, NDLEA, representing Brigadier General Buba Marwa (Retired), Chairman and Chief Executive, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. Also in attendance were representatives from UNODC, Lagos State Government agencies, educators, psychologists, recovery advocates, and youth leaders.

The conference aimed to develop a unified, prevention-led national strategy to combat the escalating substance abuse crisis affecting Nigerian youth.

Speaking on behalf of the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Barrister Salu-Hundeyin reaffirmed the state’s commitment to protecting young Nigerians, stating:  “Together, we must build a Lagos, a greater Lagos, rising where every young person is healthy, has access to opportunity, guidance, and the freedom to dream without a shadow of drug abuse.”

Dr. Olusoga underscored the urgency of proactive intervention: “Drug abuse is not just a health issue, it is a family issue, a community issue, and ultimately a national issue. Too many promising lives have been cut short or derailed by drugs, alcohol, and other harmful substances. Behind every statistic is a grieving parent, a struggling youth, or a community in pain. That’s why the theme is so important; this is everybody’s fight.”

Echoing her sentiment, Tobe Okigbo, Chief Corporate Services Officer, MTN Nigeria, emphasised MTN’s enduring commitment: “MTN Nigeria remains committed to national development. Supporting initiatives like ASAP is part of our responsibility to ensure the next generation thrives in a drug-free society.”

Archieabia Ibinabo, representing Brig. Gen. Marwa, commended the initiative.  “The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency is proud to collaborate with the MTN Foundation on this critical issue. MTN Foundation is no doubt one of the agency’s strategic partners in substance abuse prevention,” she said.

One of the highlights of the conference was a fireside chat titled ‘Journeys Through the Fire,’ featuring personal stories from Dr. Dokun Adedeji (CEO, Compassionate Care and Recovery Initiative); Sa’adatu Mohammed Usman (Founder, BAFASA Hope Foundation); Oluyemi Olu-Adekoya (Anti-Substance Abuse Advocate); and Onyedikachi Nnamdi Destiny (Entrepreneur and Advocate).

This transitioned into a panel discussion, ‘Turning the Tide: Multi-Sectoral Approaches,’ with speakers including Dr. Charles Sunday Umeh (Chairman, Nigerian Association for Clinical Psychologists, Lagos Chapter); Rt. Hon. Princess Mojisola Lasbat Meranda (Deputy Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly); Olusesan Samuel-Kayode (UNODC Master Trainer); Deputy Commander Shehu Lamuwa Mohammed (NDLEA, Lagos); and Prof. Adewuyi Temitayo Deborah Olufemi (LASU, Clinical and Counselling Psychology).

The session also featured a powerful, dramatic performance, Just One Breath, staged by the WADA Club of LASU, which explored the devastating personal and societal impact of substance abuse.

In her closing remarks, Odunayo Sanya, Executive Director, MTN Foundation, delivered a passionate call to action: “For over 20 years, we have held one vision at the MTN Foundation—to be a consistent force for good across Nigeria. That vision has guided every intervention, and by God’s grace, we have remained true to it. We call on the media, communities, and policymakers to sustain momentum around prevention, early intervention, and youth empowerment.”

With this conference, MTN reaffirmed ASAP’s core mission: to invest in prevention, strengthen youth resilience, and enable cross-sector collaboration to secure a healthier, drug-free future for Nigeria.