Ministry of Education and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have reached an agreement to implement mandatory drug testing for students in tertiary institutions nationwide.
Gatekeepers News reports that Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, announced this development in a communiqué dated July 30. The decision came after a meeting between Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, and Buba Marwa, the Chairman of the NDLEA.
During their discussions, both parties recognized the urgent need to address the growing issue of substance abuse among undergraduates. To combat this problem, the NDLEA plans to incorporate drug education into the revised secondary school curriculum and to launch standalone drug prevention programs in schools.
Marwa, who led the NDLEA management team at the meeting in Abuja, emphasized that drug abuse poses a significant national security threat, connecting it to issues such as terrorism, banditry, and other forms of violent crime.
“The drug scourge, as we all know, is very high in Nigeria. So, we’re fighting for the souls of our children. We also know that the drug use is exacerbating criminal activities,” Marwa said.
“We want to adopt a drug testing policy in tertiary institutions because we want a policy to keep our campuses clean.
“What we are suggesting now is drug tests for new students, for students returning from vacations, and random tests.
“This will make the children avoid taking drugs, knowing fully well that if they do and they are found out, there will be consequences. And the consequences do not necessarily mean rustication.”
Alausa, in his response, commended the NDLEA’s efforts and expressed concern over the long-term impact of drug abuse on young people.
“When the youths get into drugs, their level of critical thinking is lower. Their ability to make informed decisions in the later part of their life becomes significantly reduced,” the minister said.
“So, they become unemployable. They’re not functional. They’re not useful to themselves. All they do is resort to criminality.”
To fast-track implementation, Alausa proposed the establishment of a technical working group comprising the NDLEA and the education ministry.
He also announced the creation of a new substance use prevention unit within the ministry.
The minister directed that drug education be integrated into the ongoing review of the secondary school curriculum.
