Campus Update: NDLEA & Education Ministry Mandate Drug Tests for Tertiary Students

In a move stirring both applause and controversy, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Federal Ministry of Education have jointly announced a new directive mandating drug tests for students in Nigerian tertiary institutions. This decision, according to the agencies, is part of a wider effort to combat the rising wave of substance abuse among youth, particularly on campuses. The announcement follows months of consultations and warnings from the NDLEA, which has consistently flagged the growing trend of drug-related arrests involving undergraduates. NDLEA Chairman Buba Marwa previously hinted at the need for institutional-level screenings, noting that drug abuse has become “a silent epidemic” among Nigerian students. The Education Ministry now appears to be fully onboard. According to sources close to the policy rollout, the tests will become part of school registration processes, including freshers’ admission screening and returning students’ clearance. Institutions are being urged to create drug-free campuses by identifying affected students early and offering them rehabilitation—not punishment. But not everyone is sold. While some parents and school authorities support the initiative as a necessary intervention to curb addiction, others argue it raises privacy concerns and could be misused or politicized. Student unions across various campuses are already requesting clarification on how the tests will be conducted, what substances will be screened for, and what rights students have in case of disputes. This isn’t the first time drug screening has been proposed for youth in Nigeria. Back in 2021, the NDLEA urged state governments to enforce similar policies in secondary schools. However, critics argue that without proper support systems like mental health resources, mass testing might do more harm than good. Still, the federal government insists this move is preventive, not punitive. “We’re trying to save lives, not shame students,” said an NDLEA rep during a recent campus outreach in Lagos. The Ministry of Education echoed this sentiment, stressing that students found positive would be guided toward treatment and counseling. As the policy prepares to take effect in the new academic session, schools are bracing for the logistics—and the backlash. But one thing is clear: Nigeria is entering a new era of student accountability, and the spotlight on youth drug culture just got a lot brighter.