Students, Youths React as Lagos Names Mandy Kiss Anti-Drug Abuse Ambassador

The Lagos State Government’s decision to appoint social media personality Ayomiposi Oluwadahunsi, popularly known as Mandy Kiss, as a brand ambassador for its campaign against drug and substance abuse has stirred widespread reactions among students and young Nigerians.

The unveiling took place on Tuesday at an event organised by the Lagos State Kick Against Drug and Substance Abuse (LASKADA), where the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende, officially conferred the ambassadorship on the influencer.

“We’re here with Mandy Kiss, and she has agreed to become one of our LASKADA brand ambassadors,” Ogunlende announced in a video that quickly went viral on X (formerly Twitter). “Drugs are a pandemic that is hitting our streets and our communities. Government cannot fight it alone, so we must partner with people who can reach as many young people as possible. Mandy has a large followership, and we believe she can help us pass this message.”

The announcement immediately triggered sharp online reactions, especially from students and young people who questioned the choice of Mandy Kiss for such a sensitive role. Critics pointed to her recent viral claim of planning a “sex marathon” with 100 men in a single day—an event she later dismissed as a joke, but which had already caused outrage and prompted calls for disciplinary action from Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

A University of Lagos student, reacting on X, wrote:

“How do you make someone who once promised a sex stunt the face of an anti-drug campaign? What message does that send to students who look up to role models?”

Another youth commentator from Ibadan added:

“Everybody deserves redemption, but credibility matters. There are thousands of young Nigerians doing real work in advocacy—why bypass them for someone whose brand thrives on controversy?”

Others, however, defended the decision, arguing that unconventional ambassadors could be more effective in reaching hard-to-convince audiences.

“If Mandy Kiss can influence youths to laugh, dance, and follow trends, maybe she can influence them to say no to drugs. We’ve seen celebrities with messy pasts turn into powerful advocates,” one Lagos Polytechnic student posted.

Commissioner Ogunlende acknowledged the criticisms but insisted that inclusivity was part of the strategy.
“Everybody has a past, nobody is perfect. As a brand ambassador for LASKADA, we hope Mandy Kiss will use her platform to take the anti-drug message into the nooks and crannies of Lagos State,” he said.

LASKADA, which coordinates multi-sectoral responses to drug abuse, is expected to roll out campaigns in schools, communities, and on social media in the coming months. However, details of Mandy Kiss’s specific role remain unclear.