By: RxRelated Editorial Desk

In a country where over 14 million Nigerians are reported to have used drugs in the past year, many of them young people, the fight against drug misuse is no longer just a national concern; it is a generational one. Recognizing this urgent need, the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigeria Students (PANS) National Secretariat has launched a pioneering initiative under its Anti Drugs Misuse and Abuse Program (ADMAP) — the Academy for Drug Advocacy (ADA).


The program, now celebrated for its first graduating class — ADA Cohort 1 — was designed to equip young leaders and advocates with the knowledge, strategy, and voice to lead effective drug prevention efforts across Nigeria and beyond.

A Vision Rooted in Purpose


Speaking with RxRelated, the program’s National Chairperson and visionary, Rufai Gabriel, described the birth of ADA as “a burden turned into a blueprint.”

“The Academy for Drug Advocacy (ADA) was born out of both a burden and a vision,” he said. “I had observed that many young people were passionate about the fight against drug abuse, but most lacked the right structure, training, and capacity to channel that passion effectively. We had enthusiasm, but not always strategy — and I wanted to bridge that gap.”


What began as a simple idea — to train young advocates, storytellers, and changemakers — has grown into a national movement for responsible drug use advocacy. Through ADA, students are not just learning about drug misuse; they are learning how to fight it with evidence, empathy, and strategy.

The ADA Experience: Learning for Impact


Structured as a cohort-based online program, ADA brings together students, graduates, and emerging leaders across Nigeria. The curriculum is divided into six intensive modules, each handled by professionals and thought leaders in drug prevention, addiction science, and media advocacy:

  • Understanding Drugs, Risk, and Society — Pharm. (Mrs.) Yedunni Adenuga (NAFDAC)
  • The Science of Addiction and Mental Health — Dr. Paul Onah (UNIMAID)
  • Prevention Strategies that Work — Okey Davids (Founder, ICHAD Project)
  • Treatment, Recovery, and Reintegration — Chinyere Nduu Okoro (Addiction Counselor, SMART Recovery)
  • Drug Policy, Human Rights, and Youth Advocacy — Rufai Gabriel (PANS National Chairperson, ADMAP)
  • Media and Its Influence on Drug-Free Advocacy — Henry Alabi (Executive Producer, SEAL Films Africa)


Each module blends evidence-based learning with practical advocacy skills, empowering participants to translate knowledge into real community impact.

Graduation and Recognition: ADA Cohort 1


The first graduating class — Cohort 1 — marks a significant milestone for PANS and for Nigeria’s youth advocacy landscape. The event, hosted under the “All-Inclusive Administration” led by Ikrama Aliyu, PANS National President, celebrated not only academic completion but a renewed commitment to public health and social responsibility.

“Advocacy is strategic — it’s not just about shouting ‘Say No to Drugs’; it’s about understanding why, how, and who you are speaking to.”


Among the standout participants were the Top 5 Advocates, who received scholarships to the Universal Prevention Curriculum (UPC-P 10) for Practitioners, courtesy of the ICHAD Project — a course valued at ₦40,000 per participant.

Prize Winners:

  • CHIDUBEM OKWYNWANGWU
  • AGBO CHIMAMMA LOUISA
  • DAHIRU FATIMA UMAR
  • DIVINE AGU
  • OGBEBOR FAITH OSATOHANMWEN


This reward connects ADA graduates to a global prevention framework under the Colombo Plan Drug Advisory Programme, expanding their expertise in addiction prevention and recovery science.

A Growing Movement, Not Just a Program


From its inception to execution, ADA has shown that youth leadership and professional training can coexist as powerful tools for national change. Through the partnership of organizations like ICHAD Project, SMART Recovery, and SEAL Films Africa, the academy is creating ripple effects across campuses and communities — inspiring a new wave of drug advocates equipped with empathy, insight, and strategy.

“When the first cohort launched, it was surreal — seeing young people from different schools and backgrounds come together, learning, growing, and finding their voice. That’s when I realized ADA had become more than a program; it had become a movement — one designed to produce advocates who are informed, compassionate, and intentional about saving lives.” — Rufai Gabriel

Conclusion


The Academy for Drug Advocacy (ADA) stands as a model for youth-led social transformation — showing that with the right structure, mentorship, and knowledge, passion can indeed become policy. As Nigeria continues to face the challenges of drug abuse, initiatives like ADA remind us that education and advocacy remain our strongest medicines.


RxRelated will continue to spotlight youth-driven programs shaping the future of healthcare and public health advocacy in Nigeria.

About the Author

RxRelated Editorial Desk is the media and communications arm of RxRelated Magazine, dedicated to highlighting impactful stories and youth-driven initiatives transforming pharmacy, public health, and healthcare advocacy across Africa.