Kwara State Government Completes Unplugged Teachers Training on Drug Prevention for Secondary Schools

The Kwara State Government has successfully concluded the Unplugged Teachers Training on Drug Prevention, an intensive four-day programme aimed at equipping secondary school teachers with evidence-based skills to prevent substance use among students. The training, held in Ilorin from 9th to 12th September 2025, brought together education stakeholders, policymakers, and selected teachers from across the state.

The event was carried out in partnership with the MTN Foundation, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), reflecting a strong multi-sectoral commitment to safeguarding young people from the dangers of substance abuse.

The programme was structured in two phases:

Day One: Stakeholders’ Engagement Session – where representatives from government, education authorities, civil society, and security agencies discussed strategies to strengthen school-based prevention.

Days Two to Four: Teachers’ Training – where participants received hands-on training on the Unplugged curriculum, a globally recognised, evidence-based methodology designed to promote resilience, life skills, and healthy decision-making among adolescents.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Drug Abuse Prevention and Control, Aileru Olamilekan Mukail noted:

“Teachers play a vital role in shaping the future of our children. By empowering them with the right tools and knowledge, Kwara State is ensuring that our classrooms become safe spaces where students are guided towards healthy, drug-free lifestyles. This is not just an educational intervention, it is a social investment in our youth and our future.”

On behalf of the government, he also extended special appreciation to the MTN Foundation for its partnership.

Also speaking at the event, the representative of MTN Foundation, Chinyere ikechi, Sales and Development manager, Kwara Business area, MTN Nigeria reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to youth-focused interventions:

“At MTN Foundation, we believe that education and health go hand in hand. Supporting Kwara State in this initiative reflects our dedication to building stronger, healthier communities. The knowledge shared here today will not only empower teachers but will also ripple out to touch the lives of thousands of students across the state.”

The NDLEA also pledged continued collaboration in sustaining the programme and monitoring its impact on schools.

The Kwara State Government assures citizens that the Unplugged training will be integrated into schools across the state, with the trained teachers serving as frontline advocates for prevention. This milestone reinforces the administration’s broader agenda of promoting quality education, protecting public health, and securing a drug-free future for the next generation.