Thirty secondary school teachers in Kwara State have received training on drug abuse prevention under the “Unplugged Teachers Training” programme facilitated by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

 

The two-day workshop, which opened on Tuesday, was jointly organised by the Kwara State Government and the MTN Foundation, with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq represented by his Senior Adviser/Counsellor, Alhaji Saadu Salahu.

 

Governor AbdulRazaq disclosed that the state plans to scale up the training to 1,440 teachers, targeting approximately 86,400 students across public schools in Kwara.

 

During Wednesday’s technical sessions, UNODC trainers guided participants through strategies to discourage substance use among students. Maria Ilugbuhi, a UNODC representative, said the training covered the 12 lessons of the Unplugged programme, which focus on decision-making, social skills, and resilience.

 

“The ultimate goal is to reduce drug and substance use among students,” Ilugbuhi explained. “Teachers were also taught how to support students already struggling with addiction and to help others avoid it.”

 

Another UNODC trainer, Adebomi Adekunle, stressed that the programme equips teachers to prevent substance abuse and provide effective guidance for students at risk.

 

Teachers who took part in the workshop described the training as timely 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 of Queen Elizabeth School described it as “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.”

 

The UNODC said the initiative is part of broader efforts to strengthen preventive education and create safer learning environments across Nigeria.