Stakeholders have called on Nigerian youths to steer clear of drug abuse and focus on productive activities that can secure a sustainable future, warning that substance dependence is eroding the potential of the country’s young population.

Speaking at the 2025 International Youth Day celebration organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Consolidated Chapel, Ogun State Council, with the theme “Youth Employment for a Sustainable Future”, the State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Commander Tijani Rabe, raised alarm over the rising trend of drug abuse in the state.

Rabe lamented the absence of a functional government-owned rehabilitation centre in Ogun State, stressing that such a facility is crucial for the treatment and reintegration of drug-dependent youths into society.

Delivering the keynote address, the Convener of The Alternative, Chief Segun Sowunmi, urged young people to hold on to their dreams, stay disciplined, and commit themselves to building a prosperous Ogun State and Nigeria.

The Special Assistant to the Ogun State Governor on Youth Affairs, Comrade Olamide Lawal, assured that the state government is intensifying efforts to create more opportunities for youths to thrive.

Acting Chairman of the NUJ Consolidated Chapel, Bose Akintunde, praised the resilience of Nigerian youths amid economic challenges and encouraged them to embrace skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, and lawful employment as pathways to long-term success.