NANS advocates mandatory drug test for students in tertiary institutions

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on tertiary institutions across the country to introduce compulsory drug testing for both newly admitted and graduating students as part of their clearance process.

NANS President, Olushola Oladoja, made the appeal on Monday in Abuja during a sensitisation campaign on drug abuse and the need to build drug-free campuses.

He said the initiative would help curb the growing menace of substance abuse among students and promote discipline and moral responsibility within academic communities.

Oladoja explained that the proposed policy, to be supervised by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in collaboration with institutional health units, would serve both preventive and corrective purposes.

“Every new student should undergo drug testing during admission clearance, and every final-year student should be tested before graduation,” he said.

“This will ensure that no one leaves the campus under the influence of substances that destroy potential.”

He further called for the establishment of Drug-Free Clubs or Committees in all tertiary institutions, to be supported by the NDLEA and student unions.

These clubs, he said, would promote awareness, peer counselling, and continuous education, while drug abuse sensitisation should be integrated into orientation programmes and General Studies courses.

Oladoja also emphasised that students found to be using drugs should be directed to rehabilitation and counselling rather than being stigmatised.

He stressed that the fight against drug abuse must be a collaborative effort involving the NDLEA, the Federal Ministry of Education, and school managements through regular seminars, testing, and awareness drives.

“Drug abuse among students poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s education system and national stability,” he said.

“We must begin the fight from our campuses.

“A drug-free academic environment is essential for effective learning, safety, and moral development.”

He urged government agencies, school authorities, and civil society organisations to support a Drug-Free Campus Initiative to make Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges models of moral and intellectual excellence.

“The dream of a prosperous Nigeria begins with a generation of mentally sound, morally upright, and drug-free students,” Oladoja added.

The call aligns with ongoing government efforts to curb substance abuse among students.

The NDLEA has previously proposed a three-pronged strategy involving a revision of drug education in schools, stand-alone prevention programmes for secondary schools, and a drug testing policy for tertiary institutions.

Under the proposed framework, drug tests would apply to freshers, returning students, and randomly selected individuals throughout the academic year.

The Ministry of Education also plans to establish a Substance Use Prevention Unit to coordinate anti-drug initiatives and integrate updated drug education into school curricula.

According to reports, around 800,000 students could be affected by the policy, with testing costs integrated into existing medical fees.

However, some stakeholders, including the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), have raised concerns about mandatory testing, warning that it might drive drug use underground.

They argue that greater investment in counselling, peer education, and preventive programmes would be more effective than coercive measures.

The proposed policy aims to create safer campuses and reduce drug-related crimes, but debates continue over its feasibility, cost implications, and potential impact on students’ rights and academic freedom.