The federal government, through the Ministry of Education and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has announced plans to introduce compulsory drug testing for students in tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
The decision, aimed at curbing rising substance abuse among undergraduates, was made public in a communiqué released by Femi Babafemi, NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, dated July 30.
The initiative follows a meeting in Abuja between Minister of Education Tunji Alausa and NDLEA Chairman Buba Marwa, where both parties expressed concern over the growing prevalence of drug use on campuses. They agreed on the urgent need to embed preventive strategies into the education system.
Marwa described drug abuse as a significant national security threat, linking it to terrorism, banditry, and violent crime. “We’re fighting for the souls of our children,” he said. “The drug scourge is very high in Nigeria, and it’s exacerbating criminal activities. We want to adopt a drug testing policy in tertiary institutions to keep our campuses clean.”
According to Marwa, the proposed testing will target new students, returning students after holidays, and selected individuals through random checks. He stressed that the consequences of testing positive would not necessarily include expulsion but are meant to serve as a deterrent.
Alausa echoed similar concerns, noting the long-term developmental impact of drug abuse on students. “When youths get into drugs, their critical thinking suffers, making them unemployable and often pushing them toward criminality,” he said. The minister announced the creation of a technical working group to oversee the policy’s implementation and a new substance use prevention unit within the ministry. He also directed that drug education be integrated into the ongoing review of the secondary school curriculum.
However, the proposal has sparked strong criticism from stakeholders in the education sector. Many argue that the approach is misguided, unscientific, and impractical given Nigeria’s underfunded university system.
Chris Piwuna, National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), questioned the efficacy of mandatory testing. “This decision is not supported by scientific evidence. The students are not the enemy,” he said. Piwuna warned that drug testing could push substance use underground and suggested investing in preventive programmes such as counselling and peer education instead.
Andrew Haruna, Secretary of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors, also raised concerns about implementation. He noted the severe infrastructural and staffing challenges in universities, pointing out that many institutions are already struggling with overcrowded hostels and striking health workers. “Fix the environment first,” Haruna said. “Let us not politicise or oversimplify a serious public health issue.”
He questioned how the government intends to sustain the programme and manage its continuity, especially in the face of frequent academic disruptions. Haruna and other critics have called for more inclusive policymaking and a focus on systemic improvements in education infrastructure and student welfare.
