Prof Bode Ayorinde, who serves as Pro-Chancellor and Council Chairman for Achievers’ University in Ondo State, has identified substance dependency as a major threat to Nigerian youths. According to Punch, he shared these insights during the fifth convocation lecture at Trinity University in Lagos. Ayorinde characterized the issue as an expanding crisis that impacts not just individual users but also their households and the wider community.
The academic noted that the rising number of recovery facilities signals the depth of the problem. He illustrated the financial and emotional burden by sharing the story of a colleague whose son faced addiction while attending a private Lagos institution. The student underwent several six-month recovery cycles, each costing roughly N500,000, yet often relapsed soon after leaving the centre. Ayorinde offered to fund one month of the treatment after seeing the family's struggle.
To provide context, the speaker referenced a 2018 national study supported by the UN drug agency. That research indicated nearly 15 per cent of adults aged 15 to 64 had consumed psychoactive substances in the prior year. The South-West region showed the highest prevalence at 22.4 per cent. Ayorinde proposed that the university invite the head of the national drug enforcement body to further educate students.
Beyond drugs, Ayorinde discussed other hurdles for young Nigerians, including job scarcity, falling purchasing power, and rapid tech shifts. He observed that inflation and expensive borrowing have weakened economic stability, urging graduates to build financial discipline and avoid excessive debt. He emphasized that academic credentials alone are no longer enough, as employers now prioritize communication, problem-solving, and digital capabilities.
Austin Omame, the event chairman and Trinity University council member, stated that global uncertainties offer chances to rebuild society. He urged stakeholders to prepare young people with both practical skills and wisdom. Prof Clement Kolawole, the Vice-Chancellor, encouraged graduates to apply the convocation messages to their professional paths.