The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier-General Mohamed Marwa (rtd), has stated that the newly launched national drug test policy for schools in Nigeria is aimed at discouraging young Nigerians from abusing illicit substances, particularly those seeking admission into tertiary institutions.
Marwa made the remarks over the weekend when he received the Vice Chancellor of Taraba State University, Professor Sunday Paul Bako, who led a team of university officials to explore a partnership with the agency in the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
“We are glad to work with your university and the Taraba state government on this matter. What you are doing aligns with the new national policy for tertiary institutions, which includes compulsory and random drug integrity tests for students,” Marwa said.
The NDLEA chief emphasized that the initiative, a collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Education and the NDLEA, is not punitive but a strategic effort to deter youths from substance abuse. “Students will face compulsory drug tests at every stage of their education, which will help discourage substance misuse,” he added.
Marwa commended the Vice Chancellor for establishing a Directorate of Narcotics and Drug Abuse Prohibition at the university, promising NDLEA’s support through capacity-building, training, and other collaborative efforts.
Professor Bako praised the NDLEA’s professionalism and national recognition and said the partnership is crucial for addressing drug and substance abuse among students, which threatens academic excellence, moral values, and national development.
He added, “Taraba State University is eager to collaborate with NDLEA in research, public sensitization, policy studies, student internships, capacity building, and community outreach initiatives across Taraba State and beyond. Effective drug control requires a multi-sectoral approach involving law enforcement, academic institutions, and society.”