Nigeria Bolsters Fight Against Substance Abuse With Compulsory University Drug Testing And Enhanced School Curriculum.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled a robust plan to tackle the escalating issue of substance abuse among the nation’s youth, announcing compulsory drug testing for university students and a comprehensive overhaul of the secondary school curriculum to incorporate drug education. The initiative, revealed on Wednesday, 30 July 2025, reflects a determined effort to safeguard the future of young Nigerians and curb the societal impacts of drug misuse.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Federal Ministry of Education have forged a landmark agreement to address the growing drug crisis. During a high-level meeting in Abuja, NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), and the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Olatunji Alausa, outlined a three-pronged strategy to combat substance abuse. The approach includes mandatory drug integrity tests for university students, a review of the secondary school curriculum to reflect modern drug threats, and the introduction of standalone drug prevention programmes in schools.
Marwa emphasised the urgency of the initiative, describing the fight against illicit drugs as “a fight for the souls of our children.” He highlighted the devastating link between substance abuse and criminal activities, including terrorism and banditry, noting that over 40,000 drug offenders have been arrested and more than 5,500 metric tonnes of illicit drugs seized in the past two years. “The drug scourge is real, and without drugs, many of these criminal acts would not be possible,” Marwa stated, underscoring the need for proactive measures to protect Nigeria’s youth.
The compulsory drug testing policy will apply to new and returning university students, with random checks to deter drug use. Marwa clarified that the goal is deterrence rather than punishment, with consequences designed to encourage rehabilitation rather than automatic expulsion. The policy aims to maintain drug-free campuses, with several vice-chancellors already seeking NDLEA’s guidance on implementing similar measures.
In parallel, the Ministry of Education is revising the secondary school curriculum to integrate updated drug education, addressing the complexities of modern substances, including new psychoactive drugs. Minister Alausa confirmed that the curriculum review is already underway and will extend to primary schools in due course. “We are reviewing the curriculum now for secondary schools, and we’ll cascade it down to primary schools. We have no choice but to protect our youth,” he said.
Additionally, standalone drug prevention programmes will be rolled out in secondary schools, featuring lectures, competitions, and parental involvement to foster awareness and resilience among students. To coordinate these efforts, Alausa announced the establishment of a Substance Use Prevention Unit within the Ministry, alongside an inter-ministerial technical working group to collaborate with the NDLEA. The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) will also partner with the NDLEA Academy in Jos to deepen drug education across all levels of schooling.
The Minister highlighted the broader societal implications of youth drug abuse, noting its impact on education, employability, and family life. “When youths get into drugs, they don’t perform in school, their critical thinking is impaired, and they become unemployable, often resorting to crime,” Alausa said. “This is a vicious cycle we must break.”
This bold initiative has been met with widespread support, with stakeholders praising the government’s proactive stance. The collaboration between the NDLEA and the Ministry of Education signals a unified commitment to addressing one of Nigeria’s most pressing challenges, offering hope for a healthier, more secure future for the nation’s youth.