The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has urged the Federal Government to introduce mandatory drug testing in tertiary institutions as part of a national strategy to tackle the alarming rise in substance abuse among youths.
In a policy paper signed by its President, Comrade Olushola Oladoja, the association warned that drug abuse on campuses has escalated into a public health emergency, threatening academic excellence, campus safety, and the country’s long term development.
“Drug abuse among students is no longer an isolated concern; it has evolved into a public health emergency affecting learning outcomes, campus safety, and national productivity,” Oladoja stated.
To curb the trend, NANS is advocating for compulsory drug testing at two key points, admission and graduation, across all universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. The tests, it said, should be carried out in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and institutional health centres.
“All newly admitted students should undergo drug testing as part of the clearance process, while graduating students must be tested before receiving final clearance,” the statement read.
NANS also called for the immediate rollout of a Drug Free Campus Initiative (DFCI), to be anchored by the NDLEA, tertiary institutions, and student unions. The initiative would promote peer led education, campus wide sensitisation, and anti drug counselling.
The association proposed the formation of Drug Free Clubs or committees in every institution to support awareness campaigns, promote healthy lifestyles, and serve as support structures for students at risk.
While backing stricter anti drug policies, NANS cautioned against stigmatisation of students struggling with substance abuse. Instead, it called for rehabilitation, counselling, and reintegration, describing drug dependence as a treatable condition, not a moral failure.
“Students found to be using drugs should not be stigmatised but referred for rehabilitation and counselling, with the goal of reintegrating them into academic life,” the group said.
As a long term preventive measure, the students’ body also urged institutions to integrate drug education into orientation programmes and General Studies courses, enabling early awareness and resistance to peer pressure.
NANS identified marijuana, tramadol, codeine, and methamphetamine, popularly known as ice or mkpurummiri, as the most abused substances on campuses, linking them to a surge in cultism, assaults, and moral breakdown among students.
The association called for a coordinated national response involving the Ministries of Education and Health, the NDLEA, school authorities, civil society organisations, and student bodies to address what it described as a systemic threat.
Oladoja reaffirmed NANS’ commitment to building a morally upright, mentally sound, and academically focused student community, warning that the nation’s future workforce and leadership potential hang in the balance.
“The dream of a prosperous Nigeria begins with drug free campuses. The fight against substance abuse must start from our institutions of higher learning,” he added.
NANS concluded by urging students to take personal responsibility for their health and choices, noting that campus drug abuse poses a “clear and present danger” to national stability and educational progress.
Meanwhile, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the Federal Ministry of Education formalised an agreement on July 30, 2025, to introduce compulsory and random drug testing for students in tertiary institutions, including fresh entrants, returning students, and random selections. This collaboration also involves integrating drug education into the school curriculum as part of a wider effort to tackle substance abuse among young Nigerians.
