The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has announced plans to introduce compulsory drug testing for students in tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
This move, aimed at tackling the rising cases of substance abuse among undergraduates, was disclosed in a communiqué issued by NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, dated July 30.
The announcement follows a strategic meeting in Abuja between Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, and NDLEA Chairman, Buba Marwa, during which both officials raised alarms over increasing drug use on university campuses and agreed on the urgent need to integrate preventive measures into the education system.
Marwa described the drug crisis as a major threat to national security, linking it to criminal activities such as terrorism and banditry. “We are fighting for the souls of our children. Drug abuse is dangerously high in Nigeria and fuels various crimes. Our goal is to implement drug testing in tertiary institutions to maintain drug-free campuses,” he stated.
According to Marwa, the proposed testing would be carried out on new admissions, students returning after holidays, and others selected randomly. He clarified that a positive test result would not automatically lead to expulsion but would act as a strong deterrent.
Minister Alausa echoed the concerns, warning that drug abuse undermines students’ cognitive abilities and long-term prospects. “Drug use destroys critical thinking, rendering many youths unemployable and prone to crime,” he said. He announced the formation of a technical working group to guide the implementation of the policy and the establishment of a new substance use prevention unit within the ministry. He also directed that drug education be integrated into the revised secondary school curriculum.
However, the plan has drawn sharp criticism from various stakeholders in the education sector.
Dr. Chris Piwuna, National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), dismissed the proposal as scientifically unsupported and potentially counterproductive. “Students are not the enemy,” he said. “Mandatory drug testing lacks evidence-based backing and risks pushing substance abuse underground. Resources should instead be invested in preventive strategies like counselling and peer education.”
Andrew Haruna, Secretary of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors, also voiced concerns, citing the lack of infrastructure and personnel in many universities. “Let’s fix the learning environment first. Overcrowded hostels, inadequate staffing, and underfunded health services already undermine student welfare. This shouldn’t be politicised or oversimplified,” he warned.
Haruna further questioned the government’s ability to fund and sustain the policy, especially in light of frequent disruptions to academic calendars. Both he and other critics have urged for more inclusive and realistic policymaking focused on strengthening education infrastructure and student support systems.
