AUTHOR: Prof. Samuel Ojima Adejoh
Year: 2026
Welcome to My Digital Classroom.
For decades, the university system has operated on a simple model: We conduct rigorous research, we publish findings in prestigious journals, and we teach students within the four walls of the lecture theatre.
But as a Medical Social Work educator and Medical Sociologist, I have increasingly realized that this model is not enough. The problems we study, for examples, substance abuse in our neighborhoods, the health challenges of the displaced, the silent crisis of self-medication, social problems and the social determinants of disease, do not live in journals. They live in our homes, our markets, and our streets.
Research left on the shelf without implementation is useless. Data is meaningless if it does not improve human lives.
That is why I am launching this blog.
What You Can Expect Here..
This platform is my attempt to bridge the gap between “Town and Gown” between the academic world and the real world. I will be opening my archives and sharing insights from years of research, but not in complex academic language. I will be breaking down the data to answer the questions that matter to you, the Nigerian parent, the policymaker, the health worker, and the concerned citizen.
We will discuss: Research Insights (From My Publications and Other Sources).
My Promise to You
I promise to keep it real. I promise to back up my opinions with evidence. And I promise to offer solutions, not just complaints. Whether you are a student looking for clarity, a colleague looking for collaboration, or a citizen looking for answers, you are welcome here.
Let’s start the conversation.
Prof. Samuel Ojima Adejoh
Department of Social Work
University of Lagos.
“I’m tired of research staying in the library. Today, I launch my new blog to bring the data to the people. Read my welcome message above.
Blog Title: When the Lockdown Locked Them In: The Hidden Crisis of Addiction in Lagos
We all remember the COVID-19 lockdown as a time of boredom or economic anxiety. But for one group of people in Lagos, it was a living nightmare. Imagine being dependent on a substance to function, and suddenly, your supply chain is cut, your support systems vanish, and you are trapped indoors with the very family members you tried to hide your struggle from.In my collaborative study published in Substance Use: Research and Treatment, we investigated the experiences of persons with Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) during the lockdown. We found that the restriction of movement didn’t just stop the virus; it triggered severe withdrawal symptoms and mental health crises for many users who were cut off from rehabilitation services.
The “So What?”:
We cannot treat addiction as a crime that pauses during a pandemic. It is a health condition. When we plan for emergencies, we often forget the vulnerable populations on the fringes.
The Solution:•
Decentralize Care: Rehab support shouldn’t just be in big centers; we need community-based support that survives lockdowns.
Tele-Health: Social workers need digital tools to keep in touch with clients during crises.
Link: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/29768357241307752 Link: ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3588-3187, Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=V8m50OIAAAAJ