The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on the Federal Government to introduce compulsory dr¥g testing for all students in tertiary institutions as part of efforts to tackle rising substance ab¥se among youths.
In a statement signed by Comrade Olushola Oladoja, NANS President, the association proposed a dr¥g-Free Campus Initiative (DFCI) to promote discipline, improve academic performance, and protect Nigeria’s future workforce.
Oladoja described dr¥g ab¥se among students as a “public health crisis” thr+atening learning, moral integrity, and national productivity.
“dr¥g ab¥se among students is no longer an isolated concern; it has evolved into a public health crisis affecting learning, safety, and national productivity,” NANS stated.
The association identified marijuana, tramadol, codeine, and methamphetamine (mkpurummiri) as the most ab¥sed substances, linking them to c¥ltism, a§§ault, and campus unrest.
“Most cases of c¥ltism, a§§ault, and campus unrest are traceable to substance influence. dr¥g ab¥se fuels aggression and moral decay among students,”
the group added.
NANS recommended mandatory dr¥g testing at both admission and graduation points, supervised by the NDLEA and school health units, to ensure students “enter and leave the system clean.” It also proposed establishing dr¥g-Free Clubs on all campuses and integrating dr¥g education into orientation and General Studies courses.
Students identified with substance use, the group said, should receive rehabilitation and counselling rather than stigma.
Oladoja warned that unchecked dr¥g ab¥se endangers Nigeria’s development and leadership future.
“The dream of a prosperous Nigeria begins with a generation of mentally sound, morally upright, and dr¥g-free students,”
he stated, urging collective action among the Ministry of Education, NDLEA, and student unions to secure the nation’s campuses.
