Lagos State Kick Against Drug and Substance Abuse (LASKADA) has appointed controversial social media personality Ayomiposi Oluwadahunsi, popularly known as Mandy Kiss, as its brand ambassador.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by the Lagos Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende, during an event organised by LASKADA.
He emphasized that the state government is working to tackle substance abuse by involving influencers with large audiences.
“We’re here with Mandy Kiss, and she has agreed to become one of our LASKADA brand ambassadors,” Ogunlende said. “Drugs are a pandemic hitting our streets, our communities, and our society. The government cannot fight it alone. We need collaboration with those who can reach as many people as possible, and we know Mandy Kiss has a large followership of over 400,000.”
He formally conferred the ambassadorship on her, urging young people to reject substance abuse.
“With the powers conferred on me, I make her one of our brand ambassadors. Say no to drugs!” the Commissioner declared.
The development comes just days after Mandy Kiss faced intense backlash over her viral announcement of a planned “marathon sex” stunt.
In the post, she claimed she would attempt a Guinness World Record by engaging with 100 men within 24 hours.
The declaration drew condemnation from traditional and religious leaders.
The Eselu of Iselu Kingdom, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, petitioned Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, describing the act as “shameful, disgraceful, and a stain on Nigeria’s reputation.”
Guinness World Records later disowned the alleged attempt, stating that it does not monitor such stunts due to ethical and safety concerns.
In response to the widespread criticism, Mandy Kiss admitted in a TikTok video that the announcement was a publicity stunt to boost her online relevance.
“I was just trying to see if I was still relevant.
Everywhere was dry on my page, so I came up with the idea to boost engagement and get adverts,” she confessed, adding that she could not afford legal battles.
Her appointment as an anti-drug ambassador has sparked mixed reactions across social media, with some questioning the credibility of the campaign, while others argue that influencers with a controversial past may have more impact in steering youths away from risky behaviours.
The Lagos State government, however, maintains that collaboration with popular figures remains an important strategy in its fight against drug abuse.