The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), has said the newly introduced drug test policy for schools across Nigeria will significantly curb substance abuse among young people, particularly those seeking admission into tertiary institutions.
Marwa made this known at the weekend while receiving the Vice Chancellor of Taraba State University, Jalingo, Professor Sunday Paul Bako, who led members of the university’s management on a courtesy visit to the NDLEA headquarters to strengthen collaboration in the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
According to the NDLEA boss, the policy, which mandates compulsory and random drug integrity tests for students in tertiary institutions, is a joint initiative of the Federal Ministry of Education and the NDLEA aimed at discouraging substance abuse among youths nationwide.
“We’re glad to work and partner with you, your university and the Taraba State Government on this matter. What you are doing aligns perfectly with the new national policy for tertiary institutions that includes compulsory and random drug integrity tests for students,” Marwa said.
He explained that the initiative is not punitive but preventive, stressing that it is designed to discourage young Nigerians from engaging in drug abuse.
“This is not in any way punitive but a strategic push that will largely discourage our youths from going into substance abuse because they know that at every stage of their education, they will face compulsory drug tests. We are fully prepared to work with all schools to ensure the success of this initiative, which will positively impact youth development, security and national productivity in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” he added.
Marwa commended Taraba State University for establishing a Directorate of Narcotics and Drug Abuse Prohibition, describing it as a proactive step in addressing drug-related challenges within the academic environment. He assured the institution of NDLEA’s support through capacity-building programmes and other areas of collaboration.
In his remarks, Professor Bako praised the leadership of the NDLEA under Marwa for its professionalism and collaborative approach, which he said has earned the agency both national and international recognition. He congratulated Marwa on the renewal of his tenure, noting that his sustained efforts have played a critical role in protecting Nigerian youths and safeguarding the nation’s future.
The Vice Chancellor said his visit was motivated by growing concerns over drug and substance abuse among young people, which he described as a serious threat to academic excellence, moral values and national development.
He recalled that the partnership between Taraba State University and the NDLEA began on August 22, 2024, during the inauguration of the university’s Directorate of Narcotics and Drug Abuse Prohibition and the launch of related anti-drug initiatives by the NDLEA Taraba State Command.
Professor Bako expressed the university’s readiness to deepen collaboration with the NDLEA in areas such as research on substance abuse, policy-driven studies, public enlightenment campaigns, capacity-building training, student internship opportunities and community outreach programmes within Taraba State and beyond.
He emphasized that a multi-sectoral approach involving law enforcement agencies, educational institutions and the wider society remains critical to winning the fight against drug abuse in Nigeria.
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