From political activism to harm reduction in Nigeria: Aniedi Akpan’s journey

Aniedi Akpan’s introduction to the harm reduction sector was somewhat accidental. Initially, his activism was centred around non-violence amid Nigeria’s ongoing political unrest.

Along with his peers, he was concerned that the government was using people who use drugs as ‘hired guns’ to stoke violence and instability during election cycles.

In response, Aniedi and colleagues from the Council for Non-Violence Initiative mobilised the community to resist attempts by the state to undermine the election process.

In 2014, Aniedi connected with the Global Fund through Heartland Alliance Nigeria’s project on expanding key population interventions. This partnership shifted the Council’s focus from political activism to HIV prevention and harm reduction, offering support, funding, and growth opportunities.

Challenging times

For Aniedi, peer-led activism was always central to his activities, so he found the transition from activism to harm reduction advocacy smooth, natural and somewhat inevitable.

The country’s staunch conservatism, however, was a challenge. Aniedi’s advocacy for harm reduction rubbed awkwardly against the traditional mores of the Nigerian state. Politicians communicated cynicism and distrust, accusing Aniedi of using health-centred activism as a means of political subversion.

The scepticism extended to the home, where many of Aniedi’s friends and family expressed frustration and embarrassment. The wider community also struggled to accept or understand Aniedi’s affiliation with this ‘radical’ form of advocacy.

Following several threats and violent attacks, Aniedi fled north, where there were enclaves of people who were using drugs. There, he sensed an opportunity for the organisation to find its feet and take root.

Pushing for change

Aniedi’s work has since made great strides. In 2020, Aniedi was a key player in establishing Nigeria’s first needle and syringe programme. With assistance from the Global Fund, Aniedi and his peers forced the programme into action with a rebellious zeal, launching social media campaigns and distributing needles without an official mandate from the Ministry of Health and at the risk of serious criminal and legal consequences.

Aniedi is now part of the Hepatitis C Portfolio Community Advisory Board, a forward-thinking group of community leaders and civil society representatives, researchers and healthcare professionals working on Unitaid’s portfolio of hepatitis C grants. He contributes insights on programmes like Innovate, Involve and Inspire, a Frontline AIDS-led programme, offering advice and the perspectives of people who use drugs in Nigeria.

For him, one of the most rewarding aspects of the Community Advisory Board is its democratic approach. His suggestions are valued and often applied in project development and design. Not only does he find this gratifying, but it is an indication that people who use drugs in Nigeria have a voice, a voice that resonates through him for the benefit of all.

Aniedi Akpan is the national chairperson of the Drug Harm Reduction Advocacy Network (DHRAN) in Nigeria and the programme lead for the Drug-Free and Preventive Healthcare Organisation, a programme partner in the Frontline AIDS-led Innovate, Involve, Inspire, a hepatitis C programme funded by Unitaid. He also serves on Unitaid’s Hepatitis C Portfolio Community Advisory Board, providing guidance on Unitaid grants implemented by Frontline AIDS, PATH, Population Services International (PSI), Médecins du Monde in Egypt, Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria. India, Georgia, Armenia, South Africa, Tanzania, Vietnam and Ukraine.