Vice President Kashim Shettima has pledged the Federal Government’s full support for a nationwide survey on substance use in Nigeria, being conducted in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the MTN Nigeria Foundation.
He gave the assurance at the Presidential Villa in Abuja during the signing of the letter of acceptance for cooperation on the survey.
Describing the initiative as critical to Nigeria’s future, the Vice President stressed that the government expects the findings to shape policy decisions rather than be left unused.
He added that the final report is expected by the first quarter of next year.
Shettima also announced the creation of a Project Management Office within the Office of the Vice President to coordinate government involvement.
The office will oversee questionnaire design, field supervision, inter-agency collaboration, and implementation of the survey’s recommendations.
He commended private sector partners for their role in supporting national development through the initiative.
Earlier, Executive Director of the MTN Nigeria Foundation, Odunayo Sanya, said the survey aims to strengthen collaboration with the government while safeguarding the future of Nigeria’s youth.
She noted that the exercise will be conducted across all local government areas nationwide.
Also speaking, UNODC Country Representative, Cheikh Ousmane Toure, described the partnership as a strong signal of Nigeria’s commitment to tackling drug abuse and related crimes, reaffirming the organisation’s readiness to provide technical support.
