AYICRIP Finalises Plans for 12th National Youth Summit on Drug Abuse Prevention

The African Youths Initiative on Crime Prevention (AYICRIP) has finalised arrangements for the 12th National Youth Summit on Drug and Substance Abuse Prevention, holding from October 27 to 29, 2026, at the Main Auditorium of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Abuja.

Organised with the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) and endorsed by the NDLEA, the summit will bring together over 500 participants from the 36 states and the FCT. They include students, youth leaders, policymakers, health professionals, security agencies, traditional and religious leaders, and development partners.

Founder and Executive Director, Ambassador Chris C. Ibe said coordinated action is urgently needed to protect young people. He cited the 2019 National Drug Use Survey, which found that about 14.3 million Nigerians aged 15 to 64 had used psychoactive substances in the preceding year.

Expected at the summit are NDLEA Chairman Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa, BPSR Director-General Dr. Dasuki Arabi, and Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate. The programme includes a prevention training workshop, the Outstanding Drug and Substance Abuse Prevention Award, and the One Nation, One Voice campaign with a secondary school musical competition.

AYICRIP is calling on government, corporate bodies, development partners and well-meaning individuals to support the initiative.