In a decisive move to curb the rising tide of substance abuse among Nigerian youths, the Federal Government and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have agreed to implement a mandatory drug integrity test for students in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across the country.
This agreement was reached during a courtesy visit by NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), and his management team to the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa in Abuja.
During the meeting, both parties also agreed on a comprehensive review of the national secondary school curriculum to incorporate modern and dynamic drug education content, tailored to address emerging psychoactive substances and current trends in substance abuse.
Marwa emphasized that the NDLEA’s focus on educational institutions is strategic, given the vulnerability of youths and the growing links between drug abuse and violent crimes such as terrorism, kidnapping, and banditry.
He highlighted the agency’s recent strides in tackling drug cartels—reporting over 40,000 arrests, 8,600 convictions, and the seizure of over 5,500 metric tons of illicit substances in two years—while also underscoring the importance of prevention through education and early intervention.
Ipn his response, Dr. Alausa commended the NDLEA’s proactive approach and called for the establishment of an inter-ministerial technical working group to develop and implement the proposed reforms.
He warned that drug use is sabotaging the future of many Nigerian youths by impairing their education, reducing employability, and fueling a cycle of criminality.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Abel Enitan, also announced the immediate establishment of a Substance Use Prevention Unit within the Ministry, in line with the Minister’s directive.
