The Newly Introduced School Drug Test Policy Will Reduce Substance Abuse Among Youth —NDLEA Boss Marwa
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), has expressed strong confidence that the newly launched compulsory drug test policy for Nigerian schools will drastically reduce substance abuse among young people, especially students seeking university admission.
Marwa made the statement over the weekend in Abuja while receiving the Vice Chancellor of Taraba State University (TSU), Professor Sunday Paul Bako, who visited the NDLEA headquarters to propose a partnership in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking.
According to NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA Chairman said the agency is ready to collaborate with the university as part of a broader national effort to protect students from illicit drugs.
Marwa noted that compulsory and random drug tests are now part of national policy for tertiary institutions—an initiative jointly developed by the Federal Ministry of Education and NDLEA.
“This is not punitive,” Marwa said. “It is a strategic push to discourage youths from going into substance abuse because they know at every stage of their education, they will face compulsory drug tests. We are fully prepared to partner with all schools to ensure this great initiative succeeds.”
He stressed that the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda, aimed at strengthening national productivity, security, and youth development.
VC Commends NDLEA Leadership
In his remarks, Professor Bako commended Marwa’s leadership style, describing the NDLEA as a globally respected institution for its professionalism and impactful approach to drug control.
He noted that his visit reflects rising concern over drug and substance abuse among youths, which threatens academic excellence and national development.
Professor Bako explained that TSU hopes to expand its collaboration with the NDLEA through research partnerships, sensitisation programmes, policy studies, student internships, capacity building, and community outreach.
“We firmly believe that effective drug control requires a multi-sectoral approach involving academic institutions, law enforcement and society,” he said. “Partnership with the NDLEA will strengthen our institutional policies and programmes in this critical area.”
The partnership plan builds on an existing relationship established in 2024 during the inauguration of the Directorate of Narcotics and Drug Abuse Prohibition, the launch of the WADA programme, and the creation of the TSU Drug Free Club.
The NDLEA emphasised that compulsory drug testing in schools marks a major milestone in the national campaign against substance abuse, with long-term benefits for students, families, and communities.
