BOF-PSN Unveils Nationwide Drug Abuse Awareness Campaign with Strong Backing from Marwa, Obasa

Esther Oluku

The Board of Fellows of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (BOF-PSN) has announced a sweeping nationwide campaign to raise awareness about drug and substance abuse, with high-profile endorsements from key stakeholders in Nigeria’s health and governance sectors.

Speaking during the organisation’s 7th Public Lecture in Lagos on July 2, 2025, National Chairman of BOF-PSN, Pharm. Uchenna Uzoma Apakama, declared the group’s commitment to tackling substance abuse across Nigeria. “Under my leadership, BOF will work tirelessly to bring drug abuse awareness to the nooks and crannies of Nigeria,” he stated, stressing the campaign’s mission to educate citizens on the dangers of drug misuse.

Themed ‘Mental Health as a Basic Human Right: Crucial to Personal, Community, and Socio-Economic Development’, the event drew participation from notable figures including Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman/CEO of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly—both of whom pledged their support for the initiative.

Marwa, who was the special guest of honour, praised BOF-PSN’s efforts and highlighted the central role pharmacists must play in addressing Nigeria’s drug crisis. “Behind every drug user is a family in distress,” he said, advocating a holistic approach that sees pharmacists as strategic partners in drug control and public health. He commended the PSN for driving reforms in the retail drug sector, particularly through the Pharmacists Council Bill Act of 2023.

Obasa echoed similar sentiments, stressing the link between drug abuse and mental health challenges. He noted the urgency of integrating mental health into public policy and referenced the Lagos State Mental Health Law of 2018 as a framework for providing accessible care. Obasa also called on pharmacists to support efforts to curb the circulation of counterfeit drugs.

Other dignitaries in attendance included PSN President Pharm. Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim, NAFDAC DG Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye (represented), and top pharmacists from various professional bodies. Dr. Gbonjubola Abiri, a consultant psychiatrist and the event’s keynote speaker, underscored the need to view mental health as a universal human right, urging collective responsibility in promoting awareness and resilience.

With backing from the NDLEA and Lagos State leadership, the BOF-PSN’s upcoming campaign marks a strategic step toward nationwide education, policy advocacy, and community engagement in the fight against drug abuse and mental health stigma.