A Socio-Psychological Analysis of Doping and Drug Abuse Among University Athletes in Nigeria

Abstract

Doping and drug abuse have quietly become one of the most pressing, yet under-discussed, challenges confronting university sport in Nigeria. Behind the medals, the anthems, and the pride that student-athletes bring to their institutions lies a less visible story of young men and women turning to tramadol, codeine, alcohol, anabolic steroids, and locally brewed herbal concoctions to cope with the pressures of competition, the anxieties of academic life, and the weight of expectation placed on their shoulders. This article offers a socio-psychological analysis of doping and drug abuse among Nigerian university athletes, situating the problem within the interacting layers of individual psychology, peer relationships, coaching culture, and the broader socioeconomic environment of Nigerian higher education. Drawing on Social Learning Theory, Self-Esteem Theory, and stress-and-coping frameworks, the article argues that doping in Nigerian universities is rarely a simple matter of cheating; it is, more often, a coping strategy learned from peers, reinforced by weak institutional oversight, and sustained by psychological vulnerabilities such as low self-esteem, performance anxiety, and depression. The paper reviews recent Nigerian and comparative literature on prevalence, substance types, and associated factors, before examining the health, academic, and reputational consequences of the practice. It closes with practical recommendations for universities, sports federations, and policymakers, emphasising education, psychosocial support, and stronger anti-doping infrastructure as the most sustainable path forward.