“We Have to Do It”: Minister Speaks on Compulsory Drug Tests For University Students
- Fresh and returning students in tertiary institutions in the country will undergo compulsory drug tests
- The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, made this known in Abuja on Wednesday, July 30, 2025
- Alausa explained that the reason students in all tertiary institutions in Nigeria will face compulsory drug tests is
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Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international issues
FCT, Abuja - The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said compulsory drug tests will be conducted on fresh and returning students in all tertiary institutions in the country.
Alausa declared support for the introduction of compulsory and random drug integrity tests for students in tertiary institutions.
As reported by Punch, this was disclosed after a meeting in Abuja on Wednesday with the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig Gen Buba Marwa (retd).
Legit.ng recalls that NDLEA advocated drug testing and counselling as a prerequisite for students seeking admission into higher institutions.
Mixed reactions have trailed the developmen,t as some Nigerians on social media described the move by the NDLEA as a "misplaced priority"
The minister approved a review of the current secondary school curriculum to incorporate updated drug education and committed to forming an inter-ministerial working group with the NDLEA.
The NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.
“We are fighting for the souls of our children. Without drugs, many criminal activities would not be possible.”
The minister stated that drug tests for fresh and returning students in tertiary institutions would be done.
“You also said something very important about the drug test policy in tertiary institutions. We will do it.
“We have to do it. We do not have a choice. At least, we’ll start with tertiary institutions, for their fresh and returning students as well as random testing.”
According to the statement, the NDLEA boss, Marwa, had proposed a three-pronged approach: revising drug education content in schools, introducing stand-alone drug abuse prevention programmes in secondary schools, and implementing a drug testing policy for tertiary institutions, including for new students, returning students, and random testing.
NDLEA clarifies position on alleged drug tests
The NDLEA in Kano State clarifies that reports of 20 chairmanship candidates testing positive for drugs are inaccurate.
The agency confirms 20 candidates tested positive, but the results are not specific to any particular seat or political party.
The NDLEA urges the public to await the official release of test results to ensure transparency and accuracy in the electoral process.
UNIABUJA: Students to undergo drug test before admission
In a related story, Legit.ng reported that the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) made drug tests compulsory for prospective students of the institution.
The then vice-chancellor, Abdul-Rasheed Na'Allah, made this known at the institution's 27th pre-convocation briefing.
Na'Allah disclosed that the university is working with the NDLEA to help students who are involved in drug abuse.
Source: Legit.ng
