University trade unions such as Congress of University Academics (CONUA), civil society groups child care activists and psychologists have supported the call by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa and the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig-Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd), for drug integrity test for students of tertiary institutions and the review of current secondary school curriculum to include drug education. But, some activists have argued the need to protect the rights of applicants and pupils, who have not yet committed any drug offence. They have also called for protection of privacy of students and presumption of innocence and tackling risk of stigmatising such youths, particularly in a society where drug use is still heavily criminalised and misunderstood. They urged the ministry and NDLEA to consider applicants who don’t have the financial muscle or students from poor homes, who may not be able to afford test costs or access reliable testing centres, and the need to guarantee confidentiality, non-punitive support, and provision of more rehabilitation centres before the adoption of the drug programme, Assistant Editor Bola Olajuwon writes.
UN drug disorders report and Nigerian prevalence
In Nigeria, drug use is a menace, especially among youths. According to United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), there were 14.3 million drug users in Nigeria in 2018 while three million Nigerians suffer from drug use disorders. This is almost times three of the international prevalence of substance use.
Cannabis remains the most-widely used illicit substance in Nigeria, according to UNODC in the World Drug Report 2025 launched recently in Abuja. The report claimed that one in three users report needing treatment or counseling, underscoring a significant gap in health services and support.
It indicated that the toll of illicit drug use is significant and growing. Particularly alarming is the 9.2 per cent HIV prevalence among people who inject drugs, and the still limited access to evidence-based treatment services.
“This is not just a health crisis — it is a development, security, and peace-building concern,” declared Representative, UNODC Country office in Nigeria, Cheikh Toure.
On the report, Executive Director of UNODC Ghada Waly said: “We must invest in prevention and address the root causes of the drug trade at every point of the illicit supply chain. And we must strengthen responses, by leveraging technology, strengthening cross-border cooperation, providing alternative livelihoods, and taking judicial action that targets key actors driving these networks. Through a comprehensive, coordinated approach, we can dismantle criminal organisations, bolster global security, and protect our communities.”
Specifically, 316 million people used a drug (excluding alcohol and tobacco) in 2023, or six per cent of the population aged between 15 and 64, compared to 5.2 per cent of the population in 2013. With 244 million users, cannabis remains the most-widely used drug, followed by opioids (61 million), amphetamines (30.7 million), cocaine (25 million) and “ecstasy” (21 million). It warned that new groups of vulnerable people fleeing hardship, instability and conflict could cause these numbers to increase further.
NDLEA, minister on compulsory drug integrity test for tertiary students
The statistics by UNODC and the upsurge in violent cult activities on campuses and environs might have informed the call for compulsory drug integrity test for students of tertiary institutions and the review of current secondary school curriculum to include drug education.
According to the Director, Media and Advocacy, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Headquarters, Femi Babafemi, the above resolves were part of agreements reached between the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA and the Federal Ministry of Education when the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig-Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd), led a delegation of his management team to the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, in Abuja last week.
Marwa had during the meeting lauded the minister for his proactive approach to his job while highlighting the devastating effect of substance abuse on the country’s youthful population. He noted that the fight against illicit drugs is a fight for the souls of the Nigerian youth.
He listed three key areas he would want the ministry and NDLEA to collaborate to effectively check the menace of substance abuse among Nigerian youths. According to him, “the first suggestion we have is for a review of the drug education curriculum in secondary schools. Even though we’re told of the existence of this in the past but because of the complexity of drugs, the dynamism of it, and the new psychoactive substances that have come to play, we feel that it is time to consider a review of this drug education curriculum.
“Another area we were thinking of suggesting is to introduce stand-alone drug abuse prevention programmes in schools, secondary schools. Not the curriculum this time, but programmes that stand on their own, lectures, competitions, and involving the parents, and so on. And then the third area we were thinking is to adopt a drug testing policy in tertiary institutions, because we want a policy to keep our campuses clean. Several vice chancellors have come on their own to seek both our guidance and participation in conducting drug test for their students. So, what we are suggesting now is drug tests for new students, for students returning from vacations, and random tests. This will make the children to avoid taking drugs, knowing full well that if they do and they are found out, there will be consequences. And the consequences do not necessarily mean rustication.”
Reacting, the minister hailed Marwa for his steadfastness and commitment to the service of Nigeria. “Thank you for your service to Lagos. And beyond that, General Buba Marwa has committed his life to serve this country. Since I knew him 30 years ago, he’s still serving the country. And you could see the passion in the way that he laid out the problems in the country and what he wanted us to do. And as he was talking, I made notes and it was as if I had seen his prepared comments. Thank you so much for making this visit.”
He noted that the drug scourge is a huge problem that must be tackled headlong.
UNIABUJA: Blazing the trail against substance abuse
The University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) had taken the bull by the horn before the current initiative by the ministry and NDLEA.
The university’s spokesman, Dr. Habib Yakoob, told The Nation that drug abuse poses a serious danger to individuals, especially young people who represent the most productive segment of the society. According to Yakoob, when youths fall into addiction, their mental alertness is affected.
“Their productivity diminishes drastically, and they often become a burden rather than assets to the society. Moreover, by the time they eventually gain admission into tertiary institutions, it becomes increasingly difficult to reform them.
“So, knowing the status of candidates before admission is, therefore, a step in the right direction,” Yakoob said.
He revealed that it was true that the university introduced drug testing for new students in 2023 as part of the efforts to promote a healthy, safe and conducive learning environment. The exercise, he said, was not punitive, but preventive.
“Once students, who had been exposed to drug use, were identified, they were referred to the University’s Counselling and Career Services Centre for support, including rehabilitation where necessary,” he said.
Because of privacy of the concerned students, he refused to say the number of students who tested positive, insisting that “the cases were handled confidentially, in collaboration with relevant health and counselling services”.
CONUA supports the initiative, cautions on rights violation
The Congress of University Academics (CONUA) National President, Comrade ‘Niyi Sunmonu, PhD, supported the initiative, which he said was aimed at combating substance abuse among Nigeria’s youths through compulsory drug education and testing in tertiary institutions, including a proposed extension to JAMB applicants.
“As a union deeply committed to both the intellectual and moral development of Nigeria’s youths, we commend the Federal Government for prioritising a prevention-centered approach in addressing the scourge.
“We particularly note with appreciation: The cross-sectoral coordination involving NDLEA, UBEC, TETFund, and tertiary institutions; the initiative’s intent to tackle the drug problem at its root before it manifests as addiction, dropout, or criminality, and the effort to embed drug education into curricula, which signals a shift from punitive to preventive models.”
The association, however, raised critical concerns on key ethical, legal, and human rights implications of this initiative and they include
•Stigmatisation: Mandatory drug testing without safeguards may lead to labelling, social exclusion, and long-term damage to students’ academic and social lives.
•Privacy Violations: Compulsory testing risks breaching students’ personal and medical privacy if not properly regulated.
•Consent and Legal Standing: The plan to test JAMB applicants raises questions around informed consent, especially for minors, and must be examined within Nigeria’s constitutional and human rights frameworks, and Unclear Rehabilitation Framework: The policy is silent on support systems for those, who test positive. Is the intent rehabilitative or punitive?
To ensure that the policy uplifts rather than harms our students, CONUA called for the adoption of a multi-pronged, ethical, and evidence-based approach: Education with Empathy: Replace fear-based models with science-informed, age-appropriate drug education and also incorporate mental health awareness and life skills training; testing with Protection: Prioritise voluntary, confidential testing with consent.
Where mandatory testing is introduced, Sunmonu asserted that it must come with appropriate legal backing, strict confidentiality and psychological support and non-discriminatory practices; rehabilitation over punishment: Students who test positive must be helped, not punished.
“They should be referred to certified counsellors and NDLEA-approved rehab programmes. A Second Chance Policy should be promoted and encouraged in all educational institutions.
“Parental Involvement and Teacher Training: Parents and educators should be adequately equipped with necessary resources to identify early warning signs. A community-centered prevention and positive role modelling should be encouraged. Ongoing Research and monitoring: Continuous evaluation process should be embedded into the programme to assess effectiveness and adjust where needed. In addition, a ‘localised’ studies on youth drug behaviour and deterrence should be encouraged.
“While we support all genuine efforts to rid our institutions of substance abuse, CONUA cautions against blanket, compulsory drug testing of JAMB applicants without due process.”
The initiative is a prevention strategy, says Oyelakin
Also, Ronke Oyelakin of Bimbo Odukoya Foundation told The Nation that the initiative is a prevention strategy and it is good.
“I want Nigerians to commend the education authorities and NDLEA for introducing this because the devastating effect of substance abuse on the country’s youthful population is alarming and we all must fight against illicit drugs for the benefits of the Nigerian youth.
“The purpose is for collective efforts towards drug control in Nigeria, especially in our schools and educational institutions across the nation. The drug scourge, as we all know, is very high in Nigeria and as such, must be controlled as it also affects the insecurity. The use of substances and drugs can tend to increase all forms of criminal activities.
“Now, the children will be careful as well as parents. It is a great initiative towards a safer and better future for our youths and nation at large,” she said.
She, however, said she is interested in those who will be affected because an intervention strategy must be done alongside to help those who are already into drugs and substance use.
“The holistic rehabilitation/recovery and support systems musy be accessible, affordable, efficient and effective to accommodate their process of help and stability,” Oyelakin enthused.
Kolawole raises concern over mandatory drug testing
Dr. Olushola Kolawole (OAK), an expert in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead for the University of Bradford School of Management, in a chat with The Nation, asserted that substance abuse among young people in Nigeria has become an escalating national crisis.
He said while the intention behind the policy is understandable, the implications are far-reaching and raise serious questions about legality, privacy, feasibility, and ethics.
“This is not the first time drug testing has entered the academic space. In 2023, the University of Abuja implemented a similar policy, requiring all newly-admitted students to undergo drug testing. That initiative, while well-meaning, was localized and voluntary at its inception. Expanding such a policy nationwide to include all JAMB candidates is a different matter entirely and must be carefully evaluated for both its benefits and its risks.
“There is a clear and urgent need for comprehensive drug education and prevention efforts in Nigeria. I strongly support the integration of drug awareness programmes into the national curriculum from primary to tertiary levels. Educating children and young adults early about the dangers of substance abuse, peer pressure, and mental health can help curb the problem before it takes root. These programmes should be developed with input from NDLEA professionals, educators, mental health experts, and civil society, and should include real-life case studies, workshops, and parents involvement.
“However, a mandatory, nationwide drug testing policy, especially one that applies to all university applicants regardless of suspicion or consent presents numerous challenges.
“In addition to privacy concerns, there are psychological and social consequences to consider.”
Intention is valid and
urgent, says Ojedokun
Prof. Oluyinka Ojedokun of Department of Pure and Applied Psychology, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, noted that the intention behind the policy, aimed at addressing drug abuse among Nigerian youths, is valid and even urgent.
According to him, the potential benefits include:
•Early Intervention: It could help identify students who need support before they become deeply involved in substance abuse;
•Deterrence: When applicants are aware that they might be tested for drug use, this knowledge could deter some of them from engaging in drug use; and
•Reinforcement of discipline: This policy aligns with the goal of promoting moral integrity and focus within academic spaces.
“Beyond these benefits, implementing blanket drug testing on JAMB applicants, even more on secondary school students or students at any level, raises ethical, legal and practical concerns,” Prof. Ojedokun said.
According to him, mandatory drug testing of all JAMB applicants, who have not yet committed any offence, could violate privacy and presumption of innocence. He asserted that there is a risk of stigmatising Nigerian youths, particularly in a society where drug use is still heavily criminalsed and misunderstood.
“Applicants who don’t have the financial muscle or students from poor homes may not be able to afford test costs or access reliable testing centres. This might lead to exclusion based on non-academic factors.
“False positives do happen, and confirmatory tests may be expensive.
Without a robust legal and scientific framework, innocent applicants and students might be wrongly punished or denied education.”
