Key Points
- A Professor of Counselling Psychology at LASUED says 14.4 per cent of Nigerians aged 15 to 67 abuse psychoactive substances, with youths mostly affected.
- The don warned that cybercrime, cultism, examination malpractice and social media addiction are worsening among adolescents.
- He called for stronger counselling systems, moral education, youth empowerment and stricter law enforcement to address the crisis.
Main Story
A Professor of Counselling Psychology at Lagos State University of Education, Prof. Morufu Daodu, has raised concern over the increasing rate of drug abuse and other social vices among Nigerian adolescents and youths.
Daodu disclosed that studies indicate that about 14.4 per cent of Nigerians between the ages of 15 and 67 use psychoactive substances, with a particularly high prevalence among youths aged 10 to 29 years.
The professor made the disclosure on Wednesday while delivering the institution’s third inaugural lecture titled, “Stormy Seas of Adolescence: Stakeholder Contract in the Advancement of Normalcy,” at the university’s Oto-Ijanikin campus in Lagos State.
According to him, the growing involvement of young people in drug abuse, cybercrime, cultism and examination malpractice reflects the mounting social and psychological pressures confronting adolescents in the country.
Daodu, who also serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) of the institution, noted that in some parts of Nigeria, one out of every three secondary school students consumes alcohol.
He further revealed that studies recorded a 17.3 per cent lifetime prevalence of substance abuse among high school students.
The don also expressed concern over examination malpractice, disclosing that more than 4,000 cases of fingerprint manipulation were recorded during the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
He warned that cultism, which was once associated mainly with tertiary institutions, had now spread to secondary schools, exposing teenagers to violence, intimidation and emotional trauma.
Daodu added that negative peer pressure and aggressive behaviour were pushing many adolescents into truancy, unsafe sexual behaviour and other forms of misconduct.
The Issues
The professor described cybercrime, popularly known as “Yahoo-Yahoo,” as one of the major threats confronting Nigerian youths in the digital age.
According to him, adolescents now have increased access to smartphones and internet-enabled devices, which, while creating opportunities for learning and innovation, also expose them to unethical and criminal online activities.
He identified common cybercrimes among youths to include online fraud, identity theft, hacking, cyberbullying and internet-enabled scams.
Daodu stated that many young people were driven into such crimes by peer influence, curiosity, the desire for quick wealth and inadequate understanding of the legal and moral consequences.
He also identified social media addiction as another growing challenge, warning that excessive exposure to digital platforms was contributing to distraction, anxiety, cyberbullying and declining self-esteem among adolescents.
What’s Being Said
Daodu stressed that tackling adolescent-related challenges requires collective action from parents, teachers, counsellors, religious leaders, policymakers and the wider society.
He advocated stronger counselling services, affordable and inclusive education, moral guidance and effective law enforcement to help young people navigate modern societal pressures.
The professor also urged governments to strengthen laws protecting adolescents against abuse, exploitation, child labour and early marriage, while creating policies that support youth development and employment opportunities.
He recommended early moral education focused on honesty, discipline, responsibility and respect, beginning from childhood.
Daodu further called for the establishment of safe recreational centres, libraries, sports facilities and youth hubs where adolescents could channel their energy into productive activities.
He added that poverty and inequality remained major drivers of risky behaviour among young people, urging governments and non-governmental organisations to intensify poverty alleviation programmes targeted at vulnerable families.
What’s Next
The professor called for stricter enforcement of laws against child abuse, drug trafficking, human trafficking and the recruitment of minors into criminal activities.
He also urged stakeholders in the education and social sectors to develop coordinated interventions aimed at protecting adolescents from harmful influences and promoting responsible behaviour.
Bottom Line
Daodu’s lecture highlights growing concerns over the social and moral challenges confronting Nigerian youths, particularly in an era shaped by economic hardship, digital exposure and weakening social structures. His recommendations underscore the need for stronger institutional support, value-based education and coordinated national action to safeguard the future of adolescents in the country.
