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Obasanjo Shares How He Almost Fell Into Drug Addiction
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria has opened up about how he came dangerously close to becoming addicted to drugs in his youth.
He shared this personal revelation in Abeokuta while addressing attendees at the second edition of the ‘Fly Above The High’ anti-drug campaign conference.
The event was organized by the Recovery Advocacy Network, a group committed to combating the growing menace of drug abuse in the country.
Reflecting on his past, Obasanjo revealed that his youthful experimentation with smoking led to a troubling period of chronic coughing.
According to him, what seemed like a harmless act at first could have easily spiraled into a full-blown addiction had he not stopped.
Sharing this personal struggle, he warned young Nigerians about the dangers of drug abuse and emphasized its destructive nature.
He noted that while drug users might initially believe substances provide an escape or enhancement, they ultimately lead to ruin.
He further explained that addiction is not just difficult to escape but often comes with long-lasting consequences.
“If I had persisted, I could have become addicted,” he said, stressing that once a person falls into the trap of substance abuse, it becomes an uphill battle to break free.
Obasanjo expressed deep concern over the rising rates of drug abuse among Nigerians, particularly among students and young people.
He pointed out that drug abuse is not just a Nigerian problem but a growing crisis across West Africa.
He recalled that over a decade ago, West Africa was already becoming a hub for drug consumption, and the situation has since deteriorated.
“Whatever applies to West Africa applies to all other parts of Africa,” he added.
The former president also touched on the importance of addressing the stigma surrounding addiction.
He emphasized that those struggling with addiction need help and support rather than judgment.
Obasanjo urged families, communities, and governments to work together to create an environment where individuals battling addiction can seek help without fear of condemnation.
The anti-drug campaign in Abeokuta was part of a larger effort by the Recovery Advocacy Network to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and provide resources for those affected.
The initiative also aims to educate young people on the importance of making informed decisions and staying away from substances that could jeopardize their future.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has paid tribute to late Nigerian actor Olu Jacobs, recalling his contributions to the creative industry and his impact on Nigeria’s cultural identity.
In his tribute, Tinubu described Jacobs as a giant of the Nigerian creative industry and said “He was a giant of the Nigerian creative industry. His passing is a great loss to Nigeria, the African film industry and the global community of lovers of the performing arts. His remarkable body of work will continue to speak to generations yet unborn.
“The nation recognises the enormous contributions of Nigeria’s creative practitioners to the country’s cultural identity, global image and economic development. Olu Jacobs played a big role in creating this identity.”
Human rights lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a state of emergency over the proliferation of counterfeit and substandard drugs and consumer products in Nigeria.
Adeyanju also called for the removal of the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, as well as the heads of other regulatory agencies, including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).
“Nigerians are being exposed to dangerous products daily, from fake and substandard medicines to unsafe consumer goods, with reports of drugs being sold wholesale in the open under the hot sun. No responsible government should expose its citizens to such risks and expect mortality rates not to rise.”
Adeyanju also called out NAFDAC over what he described as failures in regulating the circulation of counterfeit and substandard products in the country.
It can be noted that various counterfeit products continue to circulate in Nigerian markets, while NAFDAC has also reported seizures and destruction of counterfeit, expired and substandard products.
Lagosians have lamented heavy traffic caused by ongoing construction work at Kara Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The Federal Government announced that repairs on the damaged expansion joints at Kara Bridge would begin on September 8, 2026. The project, initially scheduled to begin in August, was delayed to allow further traffic management planning due to concerns over its impact on motorists.
Since work began, traffic around the Kara area has become heavy, with Lagosians sharing updates on social media about spending two hours or more on the road.
Some commuters say the delays have made their 9-to-5 routines difficult, with several hours spent travelling to and from work.
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