The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Federal Ministry of Education have reached a landmark agreement to integrate drug education into Nigeria’s school curriculum and introduce compulsory drug integrity testing for students in tertiary institutions.
The agreement was announced following a meeting between NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), and the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, held on Wednesday in Abuja.
Marwa, who led a delegation of NDLEA officials, emphasized the urgency of combating the rising tide of substance abuse among Nigeria’s youth. “The fight against drugs is a fight for the soul of our children,” he said. “Drug abuse is not only fueling crime and insecurity—it is also undermining our future.”
He outlined three key areas of proposed collaboration:
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Review of the Secondary School Curriculum to update drug education content in line with emerging trends and psychoactive substances.
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Introduction of Stand-Alone Prevention Programmes in secondary schools, including lectures, competitions, and parent engagement.
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Implementation of a Drug Testing Policy in tertiary institutions, targeting new students, returning students, and random samples—designed not as punishment but as a deterrent.
Marwa also revealed the agency’s progress, noting that with support from President Bola Tinubu, the NDLEA has arrested over 40,000 drug offenders in two years, secured 8,682 convictions, and seized more than 5,500 metric tons of illicit drugs—tramadol alone valued at over ₦1 trillion.
The Minister of Education commended Marwa’s dedication to national service and echoed the need for urgent action, stating, “Drug abuse among youths leads to dysfunctional education and society. We must act fast.”
Dr. Alausa announced the creation of an inter-ministerial technical working group and a new Substance Use Prevention Unit within the Ministry. He also confirmed that the drug education component will be incorporated into the revised secondary school curriculum currently under development, with a long-term plan to extend it to primary schools.
The Minister endorsed drug testing in universities and pledged to begin implementation with incoming and returning students. He also directed education agencies under his Ministry—UBEC and TETFUND—to collaborate with the NDLEA Academy in Jos to support drug education initiatives nationwide.
The agreement marks a significant step in Nigeria’s efforts to curb substance abuse through prevention, education, and institutional reform.
