Fresh Undergraduates To Face NDLEA Drug Tests From September

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 confirmed that plans were being fine-tuned for the exercise to kick off at the onset of the next academic session in schools.
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.
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.”