In a move to combat substance abuse among young people, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Ministry of Education have established a technical working group to implement mandatory drug tests for students in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
The new policy is expected to roll out at the start of the next academic session.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, endorsed the plan after a meeting with the Chairman and Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.).
Marwa highlighted drug abuse as a significant threat to national security and youth development, linking it to various criminal activities.
“We are fighting for the souls of our children,” he stated, adding that “without drugs, many criminal activities would not be possible.”
Alausa echoed this concern, noting that drug abuse severely impacts a youth’s ability to make informed decisions and leads to a cycle of unemployability.
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He confirmed that drug tests would be implemented for both new and returning students, with random testing also to be conducted.
A senior NDLEA official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the joint technical group is working out the final details. The official mentioned that the plan is serious and likely to begin with the upcoming academic session.
Regarding the cost and logistics, the official said that students would be responsible for the cost of the tests, which would be integrated into their medical fees, similar to existing protocols in some institutions.
The official also clarified that the tests are simple and urine-based, easily conducted at school clinics or hospitals.
The NDLEA’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, emphasized that the tests should be viewed as a beneficial measure to help students, not as a form of punishment.
The initiative comes as over 800,000 candidates are offered admission into higher institutions annually, making a large-scale intervention crucial for student welfare and national security.
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