Students take freedom to weird heights as immoral way of life rocks colleges

Some college youngsters at each the first and secondary college ranges are more and more going deeper into weird and dangerous existence.

On many events, incidents of lewd behaviours are being reported amongst youngsters of college age throughout the nation.

Sometimes, feminine college students have interaction in smoking of Shisha and the movies are uploaded on social media. Some of them add their lesbian actions; and lots of of such despicable actions on micro running a blog websites, not minding the longer term implications on private model.

Few years in the past, ‘Science Student,’ successful tune by Olamide, gained large reputation amongst college youngsters due to the lyrics and the messaging it pushes – messages that have a tendency to advertise the combination of various sort of substance.

While the tune and its lyrics may not be a direct name to substance abuse for college students within the numerous secondary colleges throughout the nation, its connotative which means made a stronger enchantment for substance abuse, which additionally raises the necessity for strict regulatory oversight on musical and artistic contents produced in digital format.

The newest of those lecherous behaviours is the video of dormitory college students in a Lagos college at the moment in circulation displaying college students in smoking and ingesting 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, mentioned in an announcement.

According to him, the state authorities considered the incident with the utmost seriousness, because it goes towards the core values and behavioural requirements anticipated inside the academic system of Lagos State. He additionally disclosed that the monitoring and investigation crew of the ministry has been dispatched to confirm the authenticity of the video, verify the identities of these concerned, and decide the extent 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 said.

According to him, the state authorities is dedicated to making sure that each one studying environments are secure, disciplined, and conducive to the tutorial and ethical development of each learner.

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Similarly, the Lagos State Police Command says the matter is at the moment beneath 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 mentioned in an announcement.

According to the assertion, 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 varsity principal for questioning.

The police additionally disclosed that the varsity administration has been cooperating absolutely with investigators in guaranteeing that the circumstances surrounding the incident are correctly 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 assertion reads.

While the act shouldn’t be all collectively new amongst Nigerian college students, the rising smartphone penetration amongst youngsters of college age have considerably introduced their lascivious behaviours out for public scrutiny – way over it was.

Also, the rising entry to cellular units particularly good telephones by youngsters each on the major and secondary ranges have additional worsened the scenario in contrast to within the days when there have been no telephones and such actions remained beneath the duvet.

The trending movies of a Lagos college seen smoking and ingesting in a viral social media submit have once more raised the query about entry to cellular units at school and have additionally raised debate about managed/un-controlled entry to cellular units in the course of the college educational periods.

“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, informed BusinessDay.

According to him, a whole restriction of cellular gadget utilization for varsity age youngsters both on the major or secondary degree is hard, due to its educational advantages to the scholars.

“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 mentioned.

While outright ban may not give the wanted outcomes, some stakeholders within the schooling sector have known as for a holistic method in tackling the menace of substance abuse at each the first and secondary college ranges.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor, Lagos State, earlier this 12 months, on the annual Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP), organised by MTN Foundation aimed toward growing a unified, prevention-led nationwide technique to fight the escalating substance abuse disaster affecting Nigerian youth, said that the price of inaction was far higher than the price of prevention.

According to Sanwo-Olu, the state is dedicated to leverage PPP to handle substance abuse, and create open channels for dialogue. He additionally known as for shared duty in preventing substance abuse within the nation.

“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 mentioned.

How to curb substance abuse in colleges

Badru Saleh, proprietor, The Source School, Lagos, mentioned younger adults now brag about substance abuse and misuse in Nigeria. According to him, each nook and cranny of the society is graced with an open show of varied substances that are simply accessible to the scholars.

“It is vital for me as an educationist to counsel the next: obligatory drug check. Stakeholders assembly to debate the problem; develop a monitoring and counseling unit within the college. Sensitize the group about why group parenting across the college surroundings must 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 mentioned.

Saleh, who can be a media specialist, mentioned the adoption of all or a part of the options above won’t solely cut back the speed at which the younger adults abuse or misuse substances but in addition assist sanitize the varsity surroundings and the society as an entire.

He mentioned that substance abuse and misuse amongst younger adults particularly the secondary college college students have to be strongly appeared into. Though, it’s a transparent signal of systematic failure which emanated from residence and now unfold throughout the society.

Abimbola Ogundere, founder/CEO, Kids’ Court School & Court Hill College Lagos, mentioned Nigerian colleges should set up a substance abuse coverage that’s clearly communicated to oldsters, lecturers, and college 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 mentioned.

According to Lawal, colleges and educators ought to embrace drug abuse schooling from an early stage, in order to assist the pupils and college students perceive the hazards of drug abuse. He opined that the varsity system must also encourage the whistle-blowing initiative, with the whistle-blower assured of absolute confidentiality.

“Schools ought to make naming and shaming of the unhealthy eggs a precedence. Depending on the gravity of the case, expulsion of scholars must be adopted to forestall contamination of others. Juvenile offenders ought to have rehabilitation amenities designed to reform unhealthy circumstances past the capacities of faculties.

“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 mentioned.

Drug abuse as a household difficulty

In highlighting substance abuse as a household problem, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, the First Lady of Lagos State, lately made an emotional enchantment to curb the rising accessibility of medication in colleges and communities, as a part of the 2025 ASAP advocacy stroll.

According to her, the rising entry to substance abuse is pushed by peer stress, weak enforcement, and societal neglect.

“We have youngsters as younger as 5 years previous taking alcohol. It begins with only one sip. That one sip results in intoxication, and earlier than lengthy, the kid’s future 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 said.

Mosun Olusoga, chairman, MTN Foundation, mentioned drug abuse isn’t just a well being difficulty, however a household and group difficulty, with a nationwide coloration.

According to her, too many promising lives have been lower quick or derailed by medication, alcohol, and different dangerous substances.

“Behind every statistic is a grieving parent, a struggling youth, or a community in pain; this is everybody’s fight.”

Ogundere, a faculty proprietor (earlier quoted), mentioned there may be have to construct a robust mum or dad–college partnership to curb the menace of substance abuse. According to her, mother and father are the primary protectors; therefore colleges should have interaction the mother and father via PTA conferences, workshops, and different channels.

“Open channels of communication reduce secrecy. When parents and schools share vigilance, children feel watched over by a united front of care,” Ogundere mentioned.

She can be of the view that the faculties should collaborate with exterior businesses in constructing a supportive college tradition to curb the menace. According to Ogundere, the varsity administration system should create a tradition the place each youngster feels recognized, valued, and secure.

“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 mentioned.