LAGOS GOVERNMENT BACKS ENDURANCE SPORTS CAMPAIGNS AGAINST DRUG ABUSE, MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES

By NaijaParrot October 21, 2026 

 LAGOS, NIGERIA — The Lagos State Government has thrown its support behind two endurance sports initiatives aimed at raising awareness about drug abuse and mental health challenges among young people. The campaigns, championed by Olufemi Osinubi and Dare Akinrodoye, received backing from the Lagos State Sports Commission and the Ministry of Youth and Social Development following a meeting with the organisers on Tuesday. According to a report by Punch, the initiatives will use challenging sporting activities to draw public attention to substance abuse, depression and suicide prevention.

Osinubi is leading the Race Against Drug Abuse campaign, through which he and a team of runners plan to embark on a long-distance run from Abuja to Lagos. The planned challenge follows his recent run from Ibadan to Lagos, which he undertook to promote awareness about the dangers of drug abuse. Osinubi said his advocacy through running began in 2024. He also expressed plans to expand the campaign beyond Lagos in collaboration with relevant government agencies, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The initiative is intended to use sports as a platform for reaching young people and encouraging communities to take a more active role in preventing substance abuse.

 The second initiative, known as Mind Over Miles, is being championed by Akinrodoye, who uses endurance sports to encourage conversations about mental health, particularly depression and suicide. In 2024, Akinrodoye swam an 11.8-kilometre stretch around the Third Mainland Bridge area to draw attention to mental health concerns. His latest challenge is scheduled for November 15, 2026, and will take participants across Osun, Ogun and Lagos states through swimming, cycling and running. The event is expected to begin with a 3.8-kilometre swim at Owala Dam in Osogbo, Osun State. Participants will then cycle 180 kilometres to the Sagamu Interchange in Ogun State before completing a 42.2-kilometre run to Johnson Jakande Tinubu Park in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos. Akinrodoye said his personal struggles inspired him to champion mental health awareness. 

 Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, said sports could serve purposes beyond competition by helping communicate important social messages and support community development. He explained that the government was willing to support initiatives that use sporting activities to promote positive social change. Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, also said the campaigns aligned with the state government’s efforts to tackle drug abuse and improve public understanding of mental health. Ogunlende stressed the importance of continuing public advocacy, adding that young people experiencing mental health difficulties should know that the government is listening. 

 The initiatives highlight the potential role of sports in engaging young people in conversations about substance abuse and mental wellbeing. Drug abuse and mental health challenges can affect individuals, families and communities, making public education, early intervention and access to appropriate support important parts of prevention efforts. The planned campaigns are expected to contribute to wider awareness by bringing these issues into public spaces and encouraging more open discussions. However, the long-term impact will depend on sustained engagement, collaboration with relevant agencies and access to support services for people who need assistance.  

NaijaParrot — Hear It First, Hear It True!