FG Plans Mandatory Drug Tests for Undergraduate Students, Reveals Commencement Date

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the Ministry of Education have raised a technical working group for the implementation of compulsory drug tests for students of tertiary institutions in the country.

A top official of the NDLEA, who spoke to Saturday PUNCH, confirmed that plans were being fine-tuned for the exercise to kick off at the onset of the next academic session in schools.

Although higher institutions operate different calendars, some will begin new academic sessions in September.

Data from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board indicate that no fewer than 800,000 candidates have been offered admission this year.

Analysis of the last four academic sessions revealed that an average of 800,000 candidates were admitted into higher institutions, comprising universities, colleges of education, polytechnics, among others.

For the 2023/2024 academic session, the figure was above 900,000.

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, had on Wednesday backed the introduction of compulsory and random drug integrity tests for students in tertiary institutions across the country.

This decision followed a meeting in Abuja with the Chairman and Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), where both parties discussed measures to curb substance abuse among students.

A statement by NDLEA’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, quoted Marwa as describing drug abuse as a threat to national security and youth development, citing its links to criminal activities such as terrorism and banditry.

“We are fighting for the souls of our children. Without drugs, many criminal activities would not be possible, ” he said.

In his remarks, the education minister agreed with Marwa, noting that drug abuse negatively impacts the youth and their pursuit.

He added, “Their ability to make informed decisions in the latter part of their life becomes significantly reduced. So, they become unemployable. And what happens? You now have that vicious cycle. They’re not functional.”

Alausa, therefore, declared the resolve of the Federal Government to introduce drug tests for students in higher institutions.

He stated that drug tests for fresh and returning students in tertiary institutions would be done.

He said, “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.”

When asked on Friday how serious the government was with the planned drug tests for undergraduates, the NDLEA top official, who spoke on condition of anonymity for lack of authorisation, said the plan was serious and a technical committee had already been set up for the implementation.

He added that the testing might begin next academic session.

The official said, “We have a technical working group already working on that. It’s something that will likely commence with the next academic session.”

When asked to elaborate on the modalities for the implementation and who would bear the cost, the official explained: “The modalities, the details, are still being worked out. As I told you, there’s a technical working group, the NDLEA and the Ministry of Education are working on the modalities.”

According to him, drug tests for undergraduates are not entirely new, as some higher institutions already have them as part of their registration protocols or requirements.

He said, just like in the schools where drug tests are already being implemented, the students, and not the government, would pay for the tests.

He said, “Those already doing it, it’s already included in the medical fees in those schools.

“Those schools have medical centres, so it’s already part of the existing structure. And it’s not something expensive. For us, for example, I think it’s just about N5,000. For people already implementing it, it’s part of their medical billing.”

He, however, explained further that: “The nitty-gritty, the finer details, are still being worked out.”

On who will conduct the drug tests, the official said the test is easy enough for anyone to carry out.

“The test kits have been designed in a way that even individuals — even parents—can use them at home,” he explained. “It’s something you can apply yourself. There’s no big deal. It’s just a urine-based test. If you pee into it, it will show, just like how people do pregnancy tests, or test for blood sugar.”

“So it’s a very simple thing to do. But in schools, they definitely have clinics, hospitals, and even some universities have teaching hospitals. So these things can be done there. Then, there are also schools that refer their students to NDLEA facilities.”

When contacted on Friday, the NDLEA spokesman declined to comment on when the drug tests for undergraduates would commence.

However, Babafemi said students should see the proposed drug test as beneficial rather than punitive.

He said, “It’s a medical process; it’s not punitive. Nobody will be punished for it. It’s a public health measure. The purpose is early detection.

“For anyone already experimenting with drugs, early detection allows for timely intervention, counselling, and treatment before it progresses to addiction. It also reinforces deterrence. When people know they will be tested, they are more likely to abstain. It’s part of broader efforts to reduce the demand for illicit substances.”

Babafemi added that the policy is not limited to students, noting that even the Police Service Commission, the military, and the NDLEA itself have incorporated it into their recruitment and promotion procedures.

He likened drug tests to other routine health checks, such as HIV and genital testing, often required for weddings.

“This is just one more test. It’s in the interest of the people more than anyone else,” he said.

ASUU, VC fault policy

However, in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, the National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Dr. Chris Piwuna, described drug tests for undergraduates as misplaced and unsustainable.

Piwuna, a psychiatrist, argued that the mandatory drug tests for students won’t change anything.

He said, “This decision or the policy direction on mandatory drug tests for students is not supported by scientific evidence. It won’t change the prevalence of substance use. The students are not the enemy. Let’s reach out with science, not suspicion.”

According to Piwuna, mandatory testing may have the opposite effect, pushing students further into hiding and away from help.

“What they would just need to do is abstain for two or three days and the substances clear out of the body. So, when they come for the test, nothing will be found, as such, we will miss those we could have helped.”

As a psychiatrist, he advocated instead for prevention and intervention strategies,

“They should redirect that money towards advocacy programmes. Encourage students to join substance abuse clubs; support students with counselling centres, not scare them away with tests.”

The ASUU President also questioned the ethical dilemma of such a policy.

“If you screen and find the person is using drugs, what’s next? Are you sending them to rehab? Are you expelling them? What’s the plan?”

On the cost side, Piwuna added, “A single test costs between N3,500 and N5,000. Who’s going to pay for it — the government or students? Because force has never stopped substance use.

“It’s like a father shouting and beating a child who’s struggling, while the mother is trying to show love and talk to the child. Of course, the child will draw closer to the one offering love. That’s what we need, empathy, not force.”

Similarly, the Secretary of the Committee of Vice Chancellors, Prof. Andrew Haruna, differed with the Federal Government on the planned drug tests for undergraduates.

Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, Haruna said, “We should not start a policy we cannot execute.The environment in which students live is not conducive. Some hostels meant for two students now house 10. That’s a ghetto.”

Haruna pointed to social and economic factors as key drivers of drug use.

He said, “Some students use drugs not because they want to, but to forget the problems they face. Fix the environment first. Let us not politicise or oversimplify a serious public health issue. We need to think deeper and plan better.”

He also questioned the practicality of carrying out drug tests on thousands of students in underfunded institutions, saying, “Do we even have enough medical staff in our schools to carry out the tests, or handle follow-up care? Even now, nurses are on strike.”

While raising the issue of sustainability, Haruna urged the government to tackle root causes like poverty, poor infrastructure, and systemic neglect.

He added, “Let them make public institutions places of pride again. As long as public schools are treated like prisons, we cannot expect good outcomes.

“If you do the test today, and schools go on strike tomorrow, students go back home and do what they want. Will you test them again when they return? What’s the continuity plan?”

Haruna also questioned whether the same energy would be applied to private schools, where government oversight is limited, or whether public institutions, already marred by strikes, poor facilities, and underfunding, would be left to shoulder the burden.

“Let experts sincerely advise the government. Let there be political will, not political cliches. And please, do not overheat the system with statements that cannot be implemented. Fix the causes, not just the symptoms.”

He recommended: “Ensure any drug policy is research-backed and executable. Invest in better infrastructure, accommodations, and staff welfare. Involve stakeholders, educators, parents, students, in policy formulation and create safe, enabling environments for learning and mental wellbeing.”