FG has approved a mandatory drug tests for Tertiary Students in a move aimed at revamping drug education in schools.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Federal Government has approved the implementation of compulsory and random drug integrity tests for students in tertiary institutions across the country in a renewed effort to combat substance abuse among Nigerian youths.
This Nigeria news platform understands that the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, made the announcement on Wednesday during a strategic meeting with the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd), in Abuja.
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A statement by NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, confirmed that the minister also endorsed the review of the secondary school curriculum to include updated drug education modules. Additionally, an inter-ministerial technical working group between the Ministry of Education and the NDLEA is to be formed to drive the initiative.
Marwa, during the meeting, proposed a three-pronged strategy to address drug abuse in schools: overhauling drug education content, initiating standalone drug prevention programmes in secondary schools, and implementing drug testing policies in tertiary institutions for both new and returning students, including random screenings.
Describing substance abuse as a growing threat to national security and youth development, Marwa said, “We are fighting for the souls of our children. Without drugs, many criminal activities would not be possible.” He disclosed that the NDLEA had arrested over 40,000 drug offenders and seized more than 5,500 metric tonnes of illicit substances in the last two years.
Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, Dr. Alausa emphasized the urgent need for reform. “When youths are on drugs, they drop out of school or attend without learning. Their ability to think critically and make informed decisions is compromised, and they become unemployable. It becomes a vicious cycle,” he said.
On the drug test policy, the minister declared, “We will do it. We have to do it. At least, we’ll start with tertiary institutions; both fresh and returning students and implement random testing.”
Alausa also announced the establishment of a Substance Use Prevention Unit within the Ministry of Education and reaffirmed that the school curriculum is currently under review, with plans to extend drug education to primary schools as well.
He pledged to support the NDLEA’s ongoing school outreach and drug prevention programmes and to collaborate with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) in strengthening the NDLEA Academy in Jos, Plateau State.
The move marks a significant policy shift in the nation’s war against drug abuse, with education now placed at the forefront of the strategy.
