ISSUP Visits LASUED, Proposes Collaboration to Sensitize Students on Substance Use

As a university with zero tolerance for substance abused, the assidously and ever-proactive Management team of the Lagos State University of Education led by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Bidemi Bilkis Lafiaji-Okuneye on Thursday 2nd April, 2026 received a delegation from The International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP) on courtesy visit at the Multimedia Complex Room of the Vice-Chancellor's Office. The visit focused on youth development and addressing the growing concern of substance use among university students.

Welcoming the visitors, the Vice-Chancellor expressed appreciation for the visit and emphasized the importance of guiding young people. She noted that substance use remains prevalent among youths and reaffirmed the university’s commitment to proactive intervention.

“The collaboration with ISSUP is significant to us. Our counselling unit will play a key role in identifying, detecting, and managing substance use cases among students. Proper training will equip our staff with the necessary skills to address this challenge effectively,” she said.

Speaking on behalf of ISSUP, team leader Titilope Ogunluyi raised concerns about the behaviour of some young adults in society. She explained that substance use, whether legal or illegal, affects how individuals think, feel, perceive, and behave.

According to her, the issue cuts across all segments of Nigerian society, regardless of social class, gender, religion, or ethnicity. She described ISSUP as a global network committed to strengthening the substance use prevention and treatment workforce through collaboration, training, and knowledge sharing.

Mrs Ogunluyi highlighted ISSUP Lagos’ ongoing efforts, including advocacy, prevention initiatives, and community outreach programs. These efforts feature sensitization campaigns in secondary schools and universities, media awareness drives, and drug education seminars.

Also speaking, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academics, Professor M. A. Daodu described substance use as a major societal issue affecting youths. He expressed confidence that the collaboration would yield impactful and measurable results, noting that the university already has counsellors who would benefit from additional training.

In his remarks, the Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Rasheed Dawodu described LASUED as a pride of Lagos State, emphasizing that students remain the core of the institution’s existence. He added that training initiatives should extend beyond counsellors to include a broader segment of the university community.

The partnership will also feature free training for both LASUED staff and students on substance use counselling.

The highlight of the meeting was the honourary membership status of The International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP) conferred on the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bidemi Bilkis Lafiaji-Okuneye