society
Drug Abuse Among People With Disabilities: The Hidden Crisis Nigeria Is Yet to Address
Drug Abuse Among People With Disabilities: The Hidden Crisis Nigeria Is Yet to Address.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by saharaweeklyng.com
“Neglect, stigma and policy gaps are fueling substance misuse among Nigeria’s most vulnerable and silence is costing lives.”
Nigeria likes to talk about inclusion, but talk without action has a human cost and one that is rarely counted. Behind closed doors and in the margins of health statistics, drug and substance misuse is wreaking havoc on people with disabilities (PWDs) across the country. This is not an unfortunate footnote; it is a predictable outcome of exclusion (social, medical and legal) that we have chosen to ignore.
Global and local evidence points to the same uncomfortable truth: people with disabilities are at higher risk of substance use and are less likely to receive appropriate treatment. International studies show that adults with disabilities report disproportionately high rates of substance use and adverse mental health symptoms compared with their non-disabled peers. These patterns are mediated by chronic pain, untreated mental-health disorders, social isolation and poverty with all conditions common among Nigerian PWDs.
Why this happens is painfully simple. Many people with disabilities live with chronic pain or long-term health conditions for which medication is necessary; others face untreated depression, anxiety and trauma. When health systems are inaccessible, poorly resourced, or openly hostile, self-medication becomes an easy (and dangerous) option. Add stigma and social exclusion and the risk escalates: illicit substances, alcohol, codeine-laden cough syrups and diverted prescription drugs become stopgap “TREATMENTS” for pain, loneliness and despair. The World Health Organization explicitly warns that persons with disabilities are more likely to face risk factors for tobacco, alcohol and drug use because they are often left out of public health interventions.
In Nigeria the problem has particular features. National-level surveys and UN estimates indicate that drug use is widespread in the country: a sizeable share of Nigerians between 15 and 64 (measured in millions) are affected by drug misuse, and substances such as tramadol and codeine-based syrups have become common in both urban and rural settings. Meanwhile, enforcement-focused headlines about drug seizures and legislative crackdowns obscure the human reality: far too many people who need treatment cannot access it. UN reporting notes that globally only about one in eleven people with drug use disorders receive treatment — an equity gap that hits PWDs especially hard.
There are three converging failures driving this hidden crisis in Nigeria.
1. Health systems and services are inaccessible or ill-equipped.
Rehabilitation, mental-health care and substance-use treatment services in Nigeria are chronically underfunded and concentrated in a handful of urban centres. Even where services exist, they are rarely adapted for persons with sensory, cognitive or mobility impairments — meaning that facilities, intake procedures, therapy methods and communication approaches exclude those who most need help. Research in multiple settings has shown that substance-use screening and treatment must include disability accommodations and comprehensive pain management; otherwise, PWDs fall through the cracks.
2. Stigma and social isolation push vulnerable people into substance use.
Violence, neglect and discrimination against children and adults with disabilities are well documented. International studies report alarmingly high rates of abuse and neglect of disabled children and teenagers — environments that predispose survivors to substance misuse later in life. In Nigeria, cultural stigma combined with poverty and lack of social protection amplifies the risk: ostracised individuals may turn to substances to cope with trauma and exclusion.
3. Policy and legal frameworks exist but are not implemented or aligned.
Nigeria’s Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 created legal obligations to integrate and protect PWDs. That law, however, has not been matched by robust investment in disability-aware mental-health services, nor by targeted substance-use programs for PWDs. At the same time, the country’s current public conversation often leans toward punitive measures against drug offenders rather than public-health strategies that address addiction as a medical and social problem. Recent moves in the legislature to stiffen criminal penalties for trafficking, while addressing supply-side harms, risk further marginalising people who need treatment rather than punishment.
What must be done is clear, if politically uncomfortable: treat this as a public-health and human-rights emergency, not an embarrassing exception to be hidden.
First, expand access to disability-inclusive treatment. Health facilities and substance-use programs must be made physically and clinically accessible. That means ramps and sign-language interpretation, yes — but also adapting clinical screening tools, counseling approaches and pain-management strategies to different impairment types. International evidence shows that substance-use interventions that account for pain and comorbid mental disorders reduce misuse and improve outcomes; Nigeria must tailor these approaches and scale them beyond elite urban clinics.
Second, invest in community-based prevention and social protection. Poverty, unemployment and social isolation are key drivers. Cash transfers, supported employment schemes, community rehabilitation programs and family support can reduce the conditions that lead people to self-medicate. Civil-society organisations and disabled-persons organisations (DPOs) are best placed to guide culturally appropriate prevention work — they must be funded and partnered with, not sidelined.
Third, collect the right data. You cannot manage what you do not measure. National surveys and drug-control reports must disaggregate by disability status, impairment type and gender. That data gap means policymakers have no reliable estimate of the scale of the problem among PWDs — and therefore no political imperative to act. Recent Nigerian and international studies give us indications; what we need is systematic, routine surveillance integrated into national drug and health surveys.
Fourth, shift from punishment to treatment. Public policy must rebalance from criminalisation toward evidence-based treatment and harm reduction. Where trafficking and organised crime require law enforcement, do so — but not at the cost of denying care to people with addiction who are also living with disabilities. The human-rights implications of mandatory incarceration for people with mental-health comorbidities must be taken seriously.
Finally, we must break the silence. Families, communities and politicians treat disability as a private tragedy. Addiction among PWDs becomes doubly invisible: the stigma of disability plus the stigma of drug use. Nigeria’s media, universities and policy forums must expose this reality and hold leaders accountable for the gap between the law’s promise and the lived experience of millions.
To the policymakers reading this: the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Act 2018 is not a placard to be posted on ministry walls — it is a legal platform that demands resources, enforcement and services. To the NDLEA and health ministries: seize the moment to partner with DPOs, donors and community groups to pilot disability-inclusive treatment models that can be scaled nationwide. To civil society: press for data, for pilots and for funding that reaches grassroots organisations.
Addiction among people with disabilities is not a “special interest” issue — it is a test of our humanity. If a nation claims to value inclusion, then it must protect the most vulnerable from a tide of substances, neglect and institutional failure. Anything less is hypocrisy.
If Nigeria does not act, the toll will grow: more lives shortened, families broken and talents wasted. But if we choose compassion, transparency and evidence, we can transform a hidden crisis into a model of inclusive care. The legislation is on the books; now let our actions prove that we meant it.
society
OWUTU FM 2026 Ramadan Lecture: Sheikh Jamiu Asanbe Urges Muslims to Avoid Showboating in Worship
OWUTU FM 2026 Ramadan Lecture: Sheikh Jamiu Asanbe Urges Muslims to Avoid Showboating in Worship.
The Chief Imam of Agelete Central Mosque, Ikoyi Lagos, Alhaji Jamiu Asanbe, has urged Muslims to remain sincere in their acts of worship and avoid the temptation of seeking public praise for good deeds.
The respected Islamic scholar gave this admonition while delivering a lecture at the OWUTU FM 2026 Ramadan Lecture, held on Saturday, February 28, 2026, in Lagos.
Speaking on the importance of sincerity in Islam, Sheikh Asanbe cautioned Muslim faithful against what he described as “showboating” — the practice of performing charitable acts or religious duties merely to gain recognition or admiration from others.
According to him, every act of worship in Islam must be done purely for the sake of Almighty Allah.
He explained that while acts such as prayer, fasting, and charity are fundamental pillars of faith, their true value lies in the intention behind them.
The cleric therefore encouraged Muslims to remain genuine in their devotion and avoid mixing their faith with the desire for worldly praise or attention.
Sheikh Asanbe also reminded the faithful that the holy month of Ramadan presents a unique opportunity for spiritual renewal. He urged believers to increase acts of generosity, particularly by supporting the needy, vulnerable members of society, and orphans.
Earlier in her remarks, the Convener of the Ramadan Lecture and CEO of OWUTU FM, Hajia Adejoke Muyibat Balogun, encouraged attendees to use the sacred month as a time for reflection, self-improvement, and community development.
She described the lecture theme as carefully selected to promote spirituality, strengthen faith, and encourage peaceful coexistence within the community.
Balogun expressed appreciation to the numerous guests and supporters who attended the event, noting that their presence reflected the strong bond within the community.
She further reaffirmed OWUTU FM’s commitment to sustaining the annual Ramadan Lecture, praying for Allah’s continued guidance and mercy in the years ahead.
The 2026 edition of the Ramadan Lecture attracted dignitaries and representatives from various organisations including Uzamot Communications, Okutex Fabrics, and the Yeye Asiwaju of Ojota Kingdom.
The event also featured engaging activities such as a quiz competition, where winners were presented with gifts. In the spirit of Ramadan, iftar meals were shared with guests, reinforcing the values of unity, generosity, and compassion that define the holy month.
Through initiatives like this, OWUTU FM continues to play a vital role in promoting faith-based dialogue, community engagement, and social harmony.
Tinubu Abroad, Nigeria in Chaos: The Spectacle of Elite Excess
By George Omagbemi Sylvester
“Government officials queue to bid him farewell as he departs, only to rush ahead and line up again to welcome him at his destination; a stark display of misaligned priorities in Nigerian leadership.”
Wednesday, March18, 2026
In a spectacle that has plunged Nigeria’s political class into fresh ignominy, a long line of federal ministers, governors, senators and political hangers‑on queued outside a London hotel this week to welcome President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR upon his arrival in the United Kingdom for a two‑day state visit.
Not only did these government officials send off Mr. Tinubu as he departed Nigeria (a ritual in itself excessive given the scale of pressing national crises) they rushed ahead to London to line the halls of his hotel, applauding and greeting him like conquering heroes arriving on foreign shores. This is how Nigeria’s elites now comport themselves while millions of citizens endure ever‑deepening hardship.
A Travesty of Priorities
Tinubu’s visit to the UK, hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, is officially billed as an effort to deepen trade relations, attract investment and strengthen bilateral cooperation between Britain and Africa’s most populous nation. While those diplomatic objectives in theory could benefit Nigeria, the optics of an entire political class fawning over a president abroad are unbearably grim against the backdrop of domestic suffering.
According to recent economic analysis, despite macroeconomic adjustments such as ending fuel subsidies and floating the naira, more than 60% of Nigerians still live in poverty and daily hardships are rampant. Security remains a grave concern with violence and banditry destabilising large swathes of the country. Instead of addressing these crises with urgency, Nigeria’s leadership appears fascinated with photo‑ops overseas.
“A System of Self‑Centred Elites”
Critics within Nigeria have not minced words. Political observers describe the spectacle as a display of self‑centred politics divorced from the realities facing ordinary citizens. One observer on social platforms summed up the broader sentiment: “Tinubu represents a system of self‑centred elites (elite consensus over popular will) and this is exactly the performative politics that lines like these embody.”
Dr. Godfrey Mwakikagile, a respected African scholar on post‑colonial governance, has long warned that bad leadership and lack of accountability are Africa’s greatest challenges. “Power in many African states is too centralised and concentrated in the hands of elites who use it to perpetuate themselves at the expense of the public good,” Mwakikagile recently argued; a critique that resonates all the more when ministers fly abroad not to pursue tangible policy but to line up like admirers.
The Cost of Foreign Pageantry
This isn’t the first time Tinubu’s foreign engagements have attracted scrutiny. His administration’s frequent travels (often with large entourages) have drawn criticism for prioritising optics over outcomes, especially when Nigeria’s economy contracts and its people struggle with food inflation and insecurity.
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has been among the most vocal domestic critics of these priorities, noting that Tinubu’s extensive foreign travel (including to the UK) distracts from urgent national needs and has become a “matter of grave concern.” Obi insists that such actions reveal a leadership more interested in global visibility than domestic wellbeing.
Nigeria Jagajaga!
The phrase “Nigeria jagajaga” (loosely translated as Nigeria being in disarray) has never felt more apt. A nation where ministers greet presidents in plush foreign suites while citizens queue for food and services is a country deeply out of balance.
Instead of being welcomed like dignitaries abroad, ministers and governors should be at home addressing the root causes of Nigeria’s struggles: insecurity that displaces communities and kills livelihoods, an economy that leaves the majority impoverished despite reforms, and the persistent failings of governance that erode public trust.
What Nigerians Deserve
President Tinubu and his entourage should be judged not by the number of ministers who lined up to greet him in London, but by the lives changed back in Nigeria.
As scholars like Mwakikagile and critics like Obi remind us, political leadership must be accountable and grounded in service, not spectacle. Nigeria’s leaders owe the people more than applause at international hotels; they owe them safety, economic opportunity, and genuine progress.
If this nation is ever to break free from the cycle of “jagajaga,” then those in power must demonstrate sincerity, not pageantry; action, not admiration. The lines outside a London hotel are not a testament to leadership; they are a testament to where Nigeria’s priorities have tragically come to rest.
GENERAL BULAMA BIU MOURNS VICTIMS OF BORNO ATTACKS, CALLS FOR UNITY AND VIGILANCE**
In a solemn and heartfelt message, Major General Abdulmalik Bulama Biu (Rtd), mni, the Sarkin Yakin Biu, has expressed profound grief over the recent tragic incidents of bomb explosions in Maiduguri and renewed violent attacks in several communities across Borno State.
This was contained in a statement he personally signed and made available to the press.
The retired senior military officer described the assaults which affected areas including Ngoshe, Mandiragirau, Ajiri, and Buratai as “cruel and most barbaric,” particularly as they occurred during a period of deep religious observance for many residents. General Biu extended his condolences to His Excellency, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, the Executive Governor of Borno State, the people of the state, and especially the immediate families of the victims.
“These unfortunate attacks have painfully led to the loss of innocent lives and destruction of properties, a painful reminder of the challenges we continue to face as a people,” he stated.
General Biu prayed that Almighty Allah grants the deceased eternal rest (Jannatul Firdaus) and grants the injured a speedy recovery. He also commended the bravery and swift response of security agencies and emergency responders, acknowledging their tireless efforts to protect lives and restore peace in the state.
Addressing the resilient people of Borno, including elders, community leaders, associations, and the vibrant youth, General Biu urged steadfastness, unity, and increased vigilance. “Let us once again rejig our commitment and ensure we overcome this development. We have done it in time past, we can still do it now together,” he emphasized.
He further called on citizens not to allow “these cowardly acts to break our spirit or weaken our collective resolve to achieve lasting peace and stability.”
In strong terms, General Biu declared his solidarity with Governor Zulum, the state government, stakeholders, and all well-meaning citizens in condemning the attacks. He concluded his message with a prayer: “May Allah (SWT) bring lasting peace to Borno State and the entire nation.”
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