Some school children at both the primary and secondary school levels are increasingly going deeper into bizarre and harmful lifestyles.If You’re Reading From Phoenix Click On Read Original To Read Full Article
On many occasions, incidents of lewd behaviours are being reported among children of school age across the country.
Sometimes, female students engage in smoking of Shisha and the videos are uploaded on social media. Some of them upload their lesbian activities; and many of such despicable activities on micro blogging sites, not minding the future implications on personal brand.
Few years ago, ‘Science Student,’ a hit song by Olamide, gained wide popularity among school children because of the lyrics and the messaging it pushes – messages that tend to promote the mixture of different type of substance.
While the song and its lyrics might not be a direct call to substance abuse for students in the various secondary schools across the country, its connotative meaning made a stronger appeal for substance abuse, which also raises the need for strict regulatory oversight on musical and creative contents produced in digital format.
The latest of these lecherous behaviours is the video of dormitory students in a Lagos school currently in circulation showing students in smoking and drinking binge.
“We wish to inform the public that the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, via the relevant agency – Office of Education Quality Assurance – is fully aware of the content of the video and has commenced a thorough investigation into the matter,” Jamiu Alli-Balogun, commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, said in a statement.
According to him, the state government viewed the incident with the utmost seriousness, as it goes against the core values and behavioural standards expected within the educational system of Lagos State.
He also disclosed that the monitoring and investigation team of the ministry has been dispatched to verify the authenticity of the video, confirm the identities of those involved, and determine the level of institutional oversight.
“Preliminary engagements have also begun with the school authorities to gather all relevant facts, and any school found culpable will face appropriate sanctions in line with the Lagos State education policies and regulations,” Alli-Balogun stated.
According to him, the state government is committed to ensuring that all learning environments are safe, disciplined, and conducive to the academic and moral growth of every learner.
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Similarly, the Lagos State Police Command says the matter is currently under investigation.
“The Commissioner of Police has directed the SCID to take over the case for a comprehensive investigation. The principal, who is also the proprietor of the school, was invited, and he clarified that the students in the viral video had already graduated,” Abimbola Adebisi, PPRO said in a statement.
According to the statement, the state’s Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, ordered the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, to take over the probe from the Ejigbo Police Division, which had earlier invited the school principal for questioning.
The police also disclosed that the school management has been cooperating fully with investigators in ensuring that the circumstances surrounding the incident are properly addressed. “The Command calls on all secondary school authorities, both public and private, as well as parents and guardians, to take proactive steps in properly supervising and guiding their children and wards,” the statement reads.
While the act is not all together new among Nigerian students, the increasing smartphone penetration among children of school age have somewhat brought their lascivious behaviours out for public scrutiny – far more than it used to be.
Also, the increasing access to mobile devices especially smart phones by children both at the primary and secondary levels have further worsened the situation unlike in the days when there were no phones and such activities remained under the cover.
The trending videos of a Lagos school seen smoking and drinking in a viral social media post have again raised the question about access to mobile devices in school and have also raised debate about controlled/un-controlled access to mobile devices during the school academic sessions.
“Mobile devices are ambivalent- they can either be a source of knowledge or destruction. Controlled access is very good, making sure that students only have access under the supervision of a responsible adult,” Moses Lawal, a Lagos-based social commentator, told BusinessDay.
According to him, a complete restriction of mobile device usage for school age children either at the primary or secondary level is tricky, because of its academic benefits to the students.
“However, it might be limiting for extremely inquisitive students who might need more access than that can be guaranteed under controlled conditions. Best bet is to tailor the control conditions to individual students’ useful needs,” Lawal said.
While outright ban might not give the needed outcomes, some stakeholders in the education sector have called for a holistic approach in tackling the menace of substance abuse at both the primary and secondary school levels.
Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor, Lagos State, earlier this year, at the annual Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP), organised by MTN Foundation aimed at developing a unified, prevention-led national strategy to combat the escalating substance abuse crisis affecting Nigerian youth, stated that the cost of inaction was far greater than the cost of prevention.
According to Sanwo-Olu, the state is committed to leverage PPP to manage substance abuse, and create open channels for dialogue. He also called for shared responsibility in fighting substance abuse in the country.
“Together, we must build a Lagos, a greater Lagos, rising where every young person is healthy, has access to opportunity, guidance, and the freedom to dream without a shadow of drug abuse,” he said.
How to curb substance abuse in schools
Badru Saleh, proprietor, The Source School, Lagos, said young adults now brag about substance abuse and misuse in Nigeria. According to him, every nook and cranny of the society is graced with an open display of various substances which are easily accessible to the students.
“It is important for me as an educationist to suggest the following: compulsory drug test. Stakeholders meeting to discuss the issue; develop a monitoring and counseling unit in the school. Sensitize the community about why community parenting around the school environment should be upheld.
“Engaging with the women and men that sell hard drinks and drugs within the school environment. Engaging the louts on why they should dissuade or help arrest students seen smoking or drinking. Practical demonstration of the resultant effect of substance abuse and misuse on the victim,” Saleh said.
Saleh, who is also a media specialist, said the adoption of all or part of the suggestions above will not only reduce the rate at which the young adults abuse or misuse substances but also help sanitize the school environment and the society as a whole.
He said that substance abuse and misuse among young adults especially the secondary school students need to be strongly looked into. Though, it’s a clear sign of systematic failure which emanated from home and now spread across the society.
Abimbola Ogundere, founder/CEO, Kids’ Court School & Court Hill College Lagos, said Nigerian schools must establish a substance abuse policy that is clearly communicated to parents, teachers, and students.
“This policy should emphasize zero tolerance for possession and use within school grounds, while also ensuring rehabilitation and guidance for affected students. Rules without compassion can drive the issue underground; firm but fair enforcement is key,” Ogundere said.
According to Lawal, schools and educators should include drug abuse education from an early stage, so as to help the pupils and students understand the dangers of drug abuse. He opined that the school system should also encourage the whistle-blowing initiative, with the whistle-blower guaranteed of absolute confidentiality.
“Schools should make naming and shaming of the bad eggs a priority. Depending on the gravity of the case, expulsion of students should be adopted to prevent contamination of others. Juvenile offenders should have rehabilitation facilities designed to reform bad cases beyond the capacities of schools.
“On the part of the government, the NDLEA should regularly send officials to assist schools with information and education on the menace. The NOA on its own part should equally join in the sensitization efforts,” Lawal said.
Drug abuse as a family issue
In highlighting substance abuse as a family challenge, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, the First Lady of Lagos State, recently made an emotional appeal to curb the growing accessibility of drugs in schools and communities, as part of the 2025 ASAP advocacy walk.
According to her, the growing access to substance abuse is driven by peer pressure, weak enforcement, and societal neglect.
“We have children as young as five years old taking alcohol. It starts with just one sip. That one sip leads to intoxication, and before long, the child’s destiny is in jeopardy.
“Prevention is cheaper than treatment. Parents are selling everything they have just to rehabilitate one child, and many are giving up. But these children don’t need punishment – they need help,” she stated.
Mosun Olusoga, chairman, MTN Foundation, said drug abuse is not just a health issue, but a family and community issue, with a national coloration.
According to her, too many promising lives have been cut short or derailed by drugs, alcohol, and other harmful substances.
“Behind every statistic is a grieving parent, a struggling youth, or a community in pain; this is everybody’s fight.”
Ogundere, a school proprietor (earlier quoted), said there is need to build a strong parent–school partnership to curb the menace of substance abuse. According to her, parents are the first protectors; hence schools must engage the parents through PTA meetings, workshops, and other channels.
“Open channels of communication reduce secrecy. When parents and schools share vigilance, children feel watched over by a united front of care,” Ogundere said.
She is also of the view that the schools must collaborate with external agencies in building a supportive school culture to curb the menace. According to Ogundere, the school management system must create a culture where every child feels known, valued, and safe.
“When students feel connected to caring adults, they are less likely to seek escape in harmful substances. Schools should celebrate student voice, provide mentorship, and support mental health; these are long-term shields against substance abuse,” Ogundere said..Viral Video: ‘Daughter’ And Father Seen In A Pos!tion They Cannot Explain, See The 3 Minutes Video Here . .
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