By Mike Odeh James
Abuja, Nigeria – Comrade Chuba Okpuzor, a prominent youth advocate and national officer of the Unemployed Youths Association of Nigeria (UYAN), Spokesperson for “The Actual Voice of Truth Advocacy Foundation” has raised the alarm over a growing mental health emergency affecting Nigerian youths. Speaking on Monday, Okpuzor described the escalating number of drug-related mental health cases as a national emergency requiring immediate attention from all sectors of society.
Psychiatric Centers Overwhelmed
According to Okpuzor, Nigeria’s already overstretched psychiatric hospitals are under severe strain. These facilities are increasingly populated by young Nigerians battling drug-induced mental illnesses.
“It’s perplexing how some, even those with education, remain oblivious to the gravity of this issue,” Okpuzor lamented.
“Despite overwhelming evidence, there’s a tendency to trivialise it, yet our underfunded psychiatric centers admit more mentally distressed young Nigerians every single day.”
He pointed out that a disturbing number of these youths are unemployed and left vulnerable to economic hardship and social disconnect orchestrated by social neglect.
A Syndicate-Driven Crisis
Okpuzor was quick to dismiss the idea that drug addiction is merely an individual failing. Instead, he described a vast and sophisticated drug trafficking network that exploits Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations.
“Drug trafficking is not orchestrated by the poor, the middle class, or the downtrodden, but tragically, they become its victims,” he said.
“These illicit substances infiltrate our communities through powerful networks, and are consumed by youths in a state of confusion and despair. This makes them incredibly vulnerable.”
He stressed that the root of the problem lies in deliberate targeting by criminal syndicates who prey on jobless and disillusioned youths, using drugs as a weapon of destruction.
Call for Deeper Investigations
While commending the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for recent drug seizures and arrests, Okpuzor urged the agency to dig deeper and go beyond surface-level enforcement.
“We commend the NDLEA’s dedication,” he acknowledged.
“But we implore them to delve deeper. Drug trafficking is a sophisticated operation involving highly placed individuals. The poor are merely the consumers, not the architects of this trade.”
He called for intelligence-driven, top-down investigations that expose and dismantle the high-level networks profiting from the addiction and destruction of Nigerian youths.
Responsibility of Institutions and Leaders
Okpuzor called on youth organizations, religious institutions, and the media to respond with urgency and a sense of responsibility. He warned that any effort to politicize or downplay the issue would amount to national sabotage.
“Any effort to downplay the significance of this issue, is a disservice to our collective well-being and national integrity,” he said.
“This is not a moment for inaction. It’s a time to lead, to advocate, and to demand protection for the future generation.”
He stressed that Nigerian youths cannot afford silence from those entrusted with their protection and empowerment.
A Call to Conscience
As drug abuse continues to wreak havoc on young lives, the call by Comrade Chuba Okpuzor represents a critical appeal to conscience—and a reminder that behind every mental breakdown is a system that failed to intervene.
Unless Nigeria acts boldly and collectively, the nation risks losing an entire generation to drugs, mental illnesses and institutional neglect.
Middle-Belt Times 