FG, NDLEA to begin mandatory Drug testing in Tertiary Institutions

By Isaac Joseph Inyang

The Federal Government has announced plans to implement mandatory drug testing for students in Nigerian tertiary institutions. The development followed a policy meeting held on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, in Abuja between the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, and the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd).

According to a statement issued after the meeting, the Ministry of Education and the NDLEA have agreed to introduce structured drug integrity tests across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education nationwide. The testing will apply to newly admitted students, returning students from vacation, and will include provisions for random screening during the academic session.

The Ministry and the NDLEA also resolved to establish a joint technical working group to design the operational framework for the program. The group will be responsible for drafting implementation guidelines, determining testing procedures, and liaising with tertiary institutions to ensure compliance.

In addition to the drug testing plan, both agencies confirmed that drug education will be introduced into the school curriculum at the secondary level. A dedicated Substance Abuse Prevention, Treatment, and Care (SAPTC) unit is to be established within the Ministry of Education. The unit will coordinate awareness campaigns, educational materials, and student-focused support systems across institutions.

The policy follows recent findings presented by the NDLEA, which indicate increasing patterns of drug use among Nigerian students. According to data cited by the agency, higher education institutions remain a key environment for early drug exposure, often linked to wider social issues including cultism, violence, and academic disruption.

While the initiative is in its preparatory phase, tertiary institutions have been directed to anticipate official guidelines. The rollout timeline, funding structure, and enforcement mechanism are expected to be outlined in subsequent directives from the Ministry.

The NDLEA has reiterated its commitment to supporting educational institutions with personnel, resources, and technical assistance required for the full implementation of the policy.

As at the time of reporting, no specific date has been provided for the commencement of testing, but preliminary engagements with university administrations are expected to begin in the coming weeks.