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FG approves drug tests for new and returning university students.
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School curricula to be updated with drug education content.
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NDLEA, Education Ministry to form joint working group.
The Federal Government has approved the implementation of compulsory and random drug integrity tests for students in tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced the development on Wednesday during a meeting with NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd), in Abuja.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that according to NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi, the minister also approved the review of secondary school curricula to include updated drug education.
He further announced the creation of an inter-ministerial technical working group to collaborate with the NDLEA on substance abuse prevention.
During the meeting, Marwa proposed a three-pronged approach: revising drug education content in schools, launching stand-alone drug prevention programmes in secondary schools, and enforcing drug testing in tertiary institutions for both fresh and returning students.
Marwa described drug abuse as a serious national threat, linking it to crimes such as terrorism, kidnapping, and banditry. He disclosed that over 40,000 drug offenders had been arrested and more than 5,500 metric tonnes of drugs seized in the past two years.
School curricula to be updated with drug education content.
Dr. Alausa, expressing concern over the impact of drugs on youth development, emphasized the need for urgent action. He said substance abuse disrupts education and renders many young people unemployable due to impaired reasoning and poor decision-making.
Speaking on the drug testing initiative, Alausa said, “We will do it. We have to do it. At least, we’ll start with tertiary institutions, for their fresh and returning students as well as random testing.”
He also confirmed the formation of a Substance Use Prevention Unit within the ministry and pledged collaboration with UBEC and TETFUND to support the NDLEA Academy in Jos.
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