By Esther Ososanya
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Federal Ministry of Education have agreed to implement compulsory drug integrity testing for tertiary students and to integrate drug education into Nigeria’s school curriculum.
The decision was reached during a high-level meeting between NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) and Minister of Education Dr Maruf Olatunji Alausa, held at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja on July 30, 2025.
Marwa emphasised that Nigeria’s drug crisis has become a fight for the soul of the nation’s youth. He described the scourge as a direct contributor to the country’s insecurity and criminal violence, saying, “We know that without drugs, terrorists, bandits and kidnappers wouldn’t carry out such heinous crimes in their right senses.”
Three-Point Proposal for Safer Campuses and Schools
To address the crisis, Marwa proposed a three-pronged approach:
- Curriculum Review – He called for an urgent overhaul of the current secondary school drug education curriculum to reflect the rise in new psychoactive substances and the complexity of modern drug use.
- Stand-Alone Prevention Programs – Beyond formal curriculum, Marwa advocated for drug abuse prevention programmes involving lectures, debates, competitions, and parental participation.
- Mandatory Drug Tests in Tertiary Institutions – Marwa urged the ministry to support a policy requiring drug tests for freshers, returning students, and random screenings on university campuses.
He noted that several vice-chancellors had already approached the NDLEA independently, asking for help in instituting drug testing protocols.
“This will serve as a deterrent. Students will know that there are consequences,” Marwa stressed.
NDLEA’s Recent Milestones
Marwa cited President Bola Tinubu’s backing for NDLEA’s recent progress, including:
- 40,887 arrests
- 8,682 convictions
- 5,507 metric tons of drugs seized
- Over 1 billion tramadol pills recovered, worth more than ₦1 trillion
Additionally, the president approved seven new NDLEA rehab centres and one model facility per geopolitical zone to enhance treatment access.
Ministry Backs Full Implementation
In response, Education Minister Alausa commended Marwa for his lifelong service and tireless anti-drug campaign, calling him “a man on a mission”.
“Once youths get into drugs, they drop out of school or become unemployable. That leads to dysfunctional families and rising crime,” Alausa warned.
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He announced immediate steps to form an inter-ministerial technical working group and revealed that the ministry is already reviewing the secondary school curriculum to include drug education. He also pledged to cascade this down to primary schools.
The minister endorsed drug testing at universities and vowed to begin with new and returning students as well as periodic random checks. “We will do it. We don’t have a choice,” he said.
Alausa further directed two key agencies, UBEC and TETFund to collaborate with the NDLEA Academy in Jos to support this expanded effort in basic and higher education.
Permanent Secretary Mr. Abel Oluwamuyiwa Enitan confirmed the establishment of a Substance Use Prevention Unit in the ministry to coordinate implementation.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
