By Peter Dansu Drug Abuse Photo by BBC The Federal Government has approved compulsory drug tests for students in all tertiary institutions...
By Peter Dansu
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| Drug Abuse Photo by BBC |
The Federal Government has approved compulsory drug tests for students in all tertiary institutions across the country.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced this after a meeting in Abuja with the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd). The meeting focused on how to tackle the growing problem of drug abuse among Nigerian students.
According to a statement by NDLEA’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, the drug tests will apply to all new and returning students in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. Random tests will also be carried out from time to time.
The government also plans to review the current secondary school curriculum to include more lessons about the dangers of drug abuse. There will also be special anti-drug education programmes in schools.
Gen. Marwa explained that the drug problem in Nigeria is very serious and linked to crimes like terrorism, kidnapping, and armed robbery. He revealed that over 40,000 drug offenders had been arrested and more than 5,500 metric tonnes of drugs seized in just two years.
“We are fighting for the future of our children. Without drugs, many crimes will not even happen,” he said.
In response, Minister Alausa agreed that the issue was urgent. He warned that when students fall into drug use, they lose interest in education and become less capable of thinking clearly or making good decisions. This, he said, leads to a cycle where many young people become unemployable and unproductive.
To help fix this, the minister confirmed that drug tests will be introduced in all higher institutions.
“We don’t have a choice anymore,” he said. “We must begin testing students — new ones, returning ones, and we’ll also carry out surprise checks. We must act now.”
Alausa also announced that a new Substance Use Prevention Unit would be created in the Ministry of Education. This unit will work closely with the NDLEA to design and carry out school-based drug prevention programmes.
He added that efforts are already underway to update the secondary school curriculum, with plans to include drug education in primary school eventually.
“We’re working with the Director of Senior Secondary Education to make sure this starts immediately. We want to reach young people early — in both primary and secondary schools,” he said.
Dr. Alausa also pledged to collaborate with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and TETFund to support the NDLEA Academy in Jos, Plateau State.
This new move by the government is seen as a strong step toward protecting Nigeria’s youth and securing the country’s future from the dangers of drug abuse.
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