Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has revealed that there would be implementation of mandatory and random drug tests for students in tertiary institutions nationwide. The decision comes as part of broader efforts to tackle the growing issue of substance abuse among Nigerian students.
According to The Punch, it “followed a meeting in Abuja on Wednesday with the Chairman and Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig Gen Buba Marwa (retd), where both parties discussed measures to curb substance abuse among students.”
In a statement on Wednesday by the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, the minister also approved a review of the current secondary school curriculum to incorporate updated drug education and committed to forming an inter-ministerial working group with the NDLEA.
Babafemi said the NDLEA boss had proposed a three-pronged approach: revising drug education content in schools, introducing stand-alone drug abuse prevention programmes in secondary schools, and implementing a drug testing policy for tertiary institutions, including for new students, returning students, and random testing.
Marwa described the drug scourge as a threat to national security and youth development, citing its links to criminal activities such as terrorism and banditry.
He disclosed that the agency had arrested over 40,000 drug offenders and seized more than 5,500 metric tonnes of drugs in the past two years.
“We are fighting for the souls of our children. Without drugs, many criminal activities would not be possible,” he said.
Responding, Alausa acknowledged the urgency of the problem, stating: “When the youths get into drugs, they won’t go to school, and even when they go to school, they are not getting a functional education.
“At the end of the day, what happens? Their level of critical thinking is lower.
“Their ability to make informed decisions in the later part of their life becomes significantly reduced. So, they become unemployable.
“And what happens? You now have that vicious cycle. They’re not functional.”
The Minister further confirmed the government’s decision to implement drug tests for both new and returning students in tertiary institutions across the country.
He acknowledged the importance of the proposed drug testing policy and stressed that it is not just a recommendation but a necessity. According to the minister, the government has no alternative but to enforce the measure as a way of safeguarding students and ensuring they receive a quality and distraction-free education.
He said the drug testing will begin with students entering and returning to tertiary institutions, with additional plans for periodic random tests.
