Published 10th September 2025
Thirty secondary school teachers in Kwara State were trained on drug abuse prevention on Wednesday by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime at a stakeholders’ workshop in Ilorin.
The training focused on implementing the “Unplugged Teachers Training” programme, aimed at equipping educators with tools to prevent drug use among students.
The two-day programme, formally opened on Tuesday by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, was jointly organised by the MTN Foundation and the Kwara State Government. The governor was represented at the event by his Senior Advisor/Counsellor, Alhaji Saadu Salahu.
Governor AbdulRazaq disclosed that the state government plans to extend the training to 1,440 teachers, reaching approximately 86,400 students across schools in Kwara.
During the technical session on Wednesday, UNODC resource persons tutored teachers on various strategies to discourage students from engaging in drug abuse.
Maria Ilugbuhi, a UNODC representative and trainer, explained that the teachers were trained on the 12 lessons of the Unplugged programme, which include decision-making, building general social skills, and fostering resilience.
“The ultimate goal of this training is to reduce drug and substance use among students,” Ilugbuhi said. “Teachers were also taught how to support students struggling with addiction and prevent others from starting.” She added, “We want students with drug-related challenges to feel comfortable approaching their teachers for counselling.”
Another UNODC trainer, Adebomi Adekunle, emphasised that the sessions equipped teachers to both prevent drug use and assist students already affected by it.
Participants described the training as insightful and impactful. Nuhu Kabiru Wada of Baptist Grammar School, Okuta, said, “The experience is unique because, as parents, we are also invested in creating a drug-free society.”
Adebayo Rashidat from Queen Elizabeth School added, “This training is very educative and an eye-opener. We are now better equipped as teachers and parents to prevent drug abuse among students.”
Olanipekun Pius of Offa Grammar School noted, “We have learned how to counsel students on the dangers of drug abuse. This programme is crucial, given the contribution of drug abuse to various social and security challenges in our society.”
