Dream-Catchers: A Scalable Youth Mentoring Model for Substance Use Prevention in Nigeria

Background

Youth in many under resourced communities in Nigeria face increasing vulnerability to substance use, trauma, and limited access to supportive opportunities, highlighting the need for effective prevention strategies. Approaches combining life skills development, mentoring, and community engagement are widely recognized as effective for strengthening youth resilience. In response, Reclaiming Futures Nigeria, a youth led platform focused on substance use prevention and community resilience, developed the Dream Catchers Programme, an initiative designed to strengthen leadership, resilience, and prevention awareness among vulnerable adolescents and young people. The programme draws on principles of positive youth development, peer mentoring, and evidence informed prevention strategies.

Methods

Dream Catchers engages clusters of 25 to 30 adolescents aged 13 to 24 who participate in a 12 week structured mentoring programme facilitated by trained mentors. The curriculum integrates substance use prevention education, mental wellness, leadership development, and social responsibility through participatory learning methods such as peer dialogue, role plays, and creative group activities. Implementation occurs through partnerships with education and youth development stakeholders, including schools, government youth agencies, internally displaced persons camps, correctional facilities, and community youth networks. Outcomes are monitored using pre and post participation surveys and mentor observation tools, alongside referrals to educational, vocational, and psychosocial support services.

Results

Since its launch in 2018, the programme has trained 42 clusters of Dream Catchers Ambassadors and reached more than 13,600 participants across 15 states in Nigeria. Monitoring data indicate that 85% report improved self esteem and leadership capacity, while 70% report reductions in risky behaviours and substance use based on self reported assessments. Participating schools also report improved student engagement and peer support, with some participants transitioning into youth mentors and community advocates.

Conclusion

The Dream Catchers model demonstrates the potential of mentoring driven prevention approaches to strengthen youth resilience and reduce vulnerability to substance use in low resource settings. Through mentor training, cluster based delivery, and partnerships with community institutions, the programme offers a scalable approach for youth engagement. Lessons from this model provide practical insights for developing youth mentoring structures and peer led prevention initiatives that strengthen coordinated responses to substance use.