26/07/2026
ENTREPRENEURSHIP AS A TOOL FOR PREVENTING DRUG ABUSE AND YOUTH RESTIVENESS AMONG NIGERIAN YOUTHS
Being a Keynote Lecture Delivered at the Academic seminar organised by the students of the department of Mass Communication 8th Set ,AL- HIKMAH UNIVERSITY, ABEOKUTA STUDY CENTRE. Saturday,25th of July,2026
By
Alh. Asiwaju Dapo Wahab, JP
Community Transformation Strategist | Entrepreneur | Global President, Asiwaju Dapo Wahab Foundation | Public Health and Drug-Free Advocate
PROTOCOL
The President of the Students' Association, distinguished members of the academic community, invited guests, fellow entrepreneurs, student leaders, ladies and gentlemen.
I am deeply honoured to address this gathering on a topic that is central to the future of our nation: "Entrepreneurship as a Tool for Preventing Drug Abuse and Youth Restiveness."
Today's lecture is not just about starting a business. It is about saving lives, restoring hope, creating opportunities, and building a better Nigeria.
Permit me to begin with a simple but profound question:
What is the greatest threat facing Nigerian youths today?
Many people will say unemployment. Others will mention drug abuse, cultism, internet fraud, kidnapping, prostitution, or political violence.
While these are serious challenges, I submit to you that the greatest threat is hopelessness.
When a young person loses hope, dangerous alternatives begin to look attractive. Drug abuse becomes an escape from frustration. Internet fraud begins to look like a shortcut to success. Cultism promises protection. Political thuggery offers quick money. These are not signs of ambition—they are symptoms of despair.
The solution, therefore, is not only to arrest offenders but to create opportunities. Entrepreneurship provides one of the most sustainable pathways out of hopelessness because it replaces dependency with productivity, frustration with innovation, and idleness with purpose.
THE REALITY OF NIGERIA TODAY
Across Nigeria, thousands of graduates leave our universities every year with dreams of securing good jobs. Many spend years submitting applications without success. Some become discouraged, while others begin to believe that success is impossible through legitimate means.
Imagine two classmates who graduated with the same degree.
The first graduate stayed at home for three years waiting for a government job. As frustration grew, he became addicted to sports betting, started abusing drugs to escape anxiety, and eventually became involved in cybercrime to sustain his lifestyle.
The second graduate decided not to wait. Using the same smartphone he owned as a student, he learnt graphic design through free online tutorials. He began designing posters for churches, restaurants, and small businesses. Today, he owns a creative agency, employs other graduates, and trains students during holidays.
What was the difference?
It was not intelligence.
It was not family background.
It was not luck.
It was mindset.
One waited for opportunities.
The other created opportunities.
That is the power of entrepreneurship.
HOW ENTREPRENEURSHIP PREVENTS DRUG ABUSE AND YOUTH RESTIVENESS
1. Entrepreneurship Gives Young People Purpose
Young people who are busy creating value rarely have time for destructive habits. A person focused on meeting customers, improving products, and growing a business is investing in the future rather than escaping from the present.
Practical Example: A university student who starts a small laundry service in the hostel spends weekends serving customers and managing income. Another student spends weekends abusing drugs because he has nothing productive to do. One is building a business; the other is destroying a future.
Lesson: A purposeful mind is one of the strongest protections against drug abuse.
2. Entrepreneurship Creates Legitimate Income
Many crimes are driven by the desire for quick money. Entrepreneurship teaches patience, discipline, and honest wealth creation.
Practical Example: A student who sells perfumes, shoes, pastries, or phone accessories on campus may earn enough to pay tuition or accommodation. Such a student is less likely to be lured into internet fraud or criminal activities.
Lesson: Honest income builds lasting dignity.
3. Entrepreneurship Builds Self-Confidence
Drug abuse often begins when young people seek acceptance from peers. Entrepreneurship builds confidence because it gives young people an identity based on competence rather than popularity.
Practical Example: A student who develops mobile apps or manages social media pages for businesses becomes known for creativity and professionalism, not for belonging to the wrong crowd.
Lesson: Skills earn respect; drugs destroy it.
4. Entrepreneurship Creates Employment
Every successful entrepreneur becomes a source of livelihood for others.
Practical Example: A young woman starts baking cakes from her hostel room. Three years later, she owns a bakery and employs five graduates. Instead of waiting endlessly for employment, she has become an employer.
Lesson: Every business that grows reduces unemployment and strengthens society.
5. Entrepreneurship Develops Discipline
Successful entrepreneurs understand that customers reward consistency, honesty, and excellence. Drug abuse destroys these qualities.
Practical Example: A photographer who arrives late because of substance abuse soon loses clients. Another photographer who is punctual, sober, and reliable gains referrals and grows the business.
Lesson: Discipline is the currency of sustainable success.
6. Entrepreneurship Solves Community Problems
The greatest entrepreneurs are problem solvers.
Practical Example: Frequent electricity shortages encouraged many Nigerian youths to establish solar installation businesses. Poor waste disposal has created opportunities in recycling. Traffic congestion has increased demand for logistics and delivery services.
Lesson: Every challenge in Nigeria is a potential business opportunity for someone willing to think differently.
7. Entrepreneurship Inspires Others
Success is contagious. One entrepreneur can inspire dozens of young people to choose enterprise over crime.
Practical Example: In many Nigerian communities today, young fashion designers, welders, software developers, farmers, and furniture makers are mentoring apprentices who might otherwise have become involved in drug abuse or criminal activities.
Lesson: Your success can become someone else's rescue.
WHAT CAN YOU START AS A STUDENT?
You do not have to wait until graduation.
You can start with:
- Graphic design
- Digital marketing
- Content creation
- Photography and videography
- Fashion design
- Catering
- Hairdressing and barbing
- Phone repairs
- Web design
- Artificial Intelligence services
- Poultry farming
- Fish farming
- Snail farming
- Laundry services
- Cleaning services
- Event planningI
- Private tutoring
- Social media management
Most of these businesses can begin with a smartphone, a skill, determination, and integrity.
A PERSONAL CHALLENGE
Before you graduate, make these five commitments:
- Learn at least one income-generating skill.
- Read at least one business book every month.
- Build friendships with people who inspire excellence.
- Stay away from drugs and every form of criminal activity.
- Start something, no matter how small.
Remember, small beginnings often lead to great achievements.
CONCLUSION
My dear students,
Nigeria does not need another generation of frustrated young people.
Nigeria needs innovators.
Nigeria needs employers.
Nigeria needs problem solvers.
Nigeria needs entrepreneurs.
Your degree will open doors, but your creativity, integrity, and entrepreneurial mindset will determine how far you go.
Never believe the lie that success only comes through shortcuts. There is dignity in honest labour, honour in enterprise, and greatness in service.
As I conclude, let me leave you with this thought:
Every legitimate business you build weakens the influence of drug abuse. Every young person you employ reduces youth restiveness. Every problem you solve contributes to national development.
So, when you leave this auditorium today, do not ask, "Who will employ me?"
Instead ask,
"What problem can I solve?"
That single question has transformed ordinary people into extraordinary entrepreneurs.
May you choose purpose over addiction.
May you choose enterprise over excuses.
May you choose integrity over shortcuts.
May you become ambassadors of a drug-free, peaceful, and prosperous Nigeria.
Remember this always:
«"Drugs destroy dreams, but entrepreneurship builds destinies. The future belongs to those who create value, not to those who wait for opportunities."»
Thank you, God bless you, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
