Ilyas Opeyemi

Favour Umega is smiling again. Healthy, articulate and full of plans for the future, the Nigerian woman says she has reclaimed her life after battling substance addiction.

In a video shared on TikTok by the WE ARE NOT THUGS initiative, Favour opened up about her experience with drugs, recalling the difficult period she went through before beginning her journey to recovery.

Her turnaround came after she received support through a donor backed rehabilitation programme operating in communities including Mushin and Shitta in Lagos.

The footage captures 2 sides of Favour’s story. In one part, she speaks openly about the pain, stigma and difficult moments associated with her struggle with substance use. In another, she appears healthier, focused and determined to rebuild her life.

“I’m proof that recovery is possible,” she said.

Her message resonated with viewers, who flooded the comment section with words of encouragement and support.

Among the reactions were messages urging people battling addiction to seek help, with one viewer writing, “Life Without DRUGS Is So Beautiful.”

The WE ARE NOT THUGS initiative uses recovery stories to draw attention to substance abuse and challenge the stigma surrounding addiction, particularly in underserved communities in Lagos.

The rehabilitation programme that supported Favour provides treatment, counselling and reintegration support for young people affected by substance abuse.

For Favour, recovery is not the end of the journey. She says she now has big plans for her future and hopes her experience can encourage others still struggling with addiction to believe that their lives can change.