The Burden Too Many Nigerian Youths Bear Alone

The Burden Too Many Nigerian Youths Bear Alone By Arafat A. Abdulrazaq

Adulthood in Nigeria is often a steep, lonely road—and for many young people, it’s a journey they’re expected to navigate overnight. We grow up under close parental watch: what to wear, where to go, what to study, who to befriend.

Most of our decisions are made for us. Then suddenly, after school or NYSC, we’re released into the “real world” with the expectation to figure it all out on our own.

But no one teaches you how to make life-altering choices, pay bills, manage stress, or deal with failure. And for many, the pressure to meet expectations without disappointing family can feel unbearable.

In that silence, some turn to drugs—not for fun, but to cope. Across campuses, inner cities, and remote towns, drug use among young Nigerians is on the rise. Some use codeine or tramadol just to sleep.

Others smoke to stay calm. For many, these substances are not recreational—they are a desperate form of self-medication. They’re trying to treat depression, anxiety, or trauma the only way they know how—by numbing the pain.

Why? Because therapy still carries stigma. Therapists are mocked as “shrinks.” Those who seek help are labeled “mad” or “weak.” Instead of treating mental healthcare as a normal part of life, we’re taught to bury our pain.

And when the silence becomes too loud, drugs feel like the easier option. Thankfully, things are beginning to change. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), once known only for cracking down on traffickers, is now focusing on healing—not just punishment.

Today, NDLEA has established rehabilitation and counselling centres in 30 states, with plans to expand nationwide. These aren’t elite luxury clinics. They are practical, science-based spaces where young people can access therapy, guidance, and support—often at little or no cost.

This is a breakthrough. Many young people can’t afford private therapy. NDLEA’s centres fill that gap. They offer a safe space to speak, to be heard, and to begin healing without shame.

You don’t have to be broken to seek therapy. You only need to be human. Therapy is not some strange Western idea. It is rooted in science and compassion.

It helps you process pain, untangle thoughts, build resilience, and grow in self-awareness. Millions across the world—including right here in Nigeria—have found healing through it.

A therapist is not your parent, not your teacher, not your friend. They’re trained to listen without judgment and offer tools to help you cope. You don’t have to tell your family everything—but please, tell someone who is trained to help.

Don’t hide behind drugs. Open the door to healing. And to parents: your role doesn’t end when your child turns 21. You’ve been there for every decision—don’t suddenly vanish and expect them to thrive.

Adulthood doesn’t come with a manual. Check in—not to control, but to guide. Let your children breathe, but don’t let them feel alone. Give them space, but don’t make them feel abandoned.

The weight of adulthood is real. So is the pain that comes with it. But so are the solutions. Drugs may offer escape, but they take more than they give. Therapy heals. It empowers. And thanks to NDLEA’s growing network, it’s now within reach.

So to every young Nigerian reading this: never be ashamed to ask for help. Your mind deserves the same care you give your body. Therapy is not a last resort. It is a wise, courageous choice.

As-Sayyidul Arafat Abdulrazaq is a corps member serving with the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC), Abuja. He can be reached via: [email protected].