The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd), has said that the newly introduced drug test policy for schools will significantly discourage substance abuse among young Nigerians, particularly those seeking admission into tertiary institutions.
Marwa stated this at the weekend while receiving the Vice Chancellor of Taraba State University, Jalingo, Prof. Sunday Bako, who led members of the university’s management on a courtesy visit to the NDLEA headquarters to explore partnership opportunities in the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
He explained that the policy, which provides for 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 addressing substance abuse among youths in schools nationwide.
“We are glad to partner with your university and the Taraba State Government on this issue,” Marwa said. “This initiative is not punitive in any way, but a strategic intervention that will discourage young people from substance abuse, knowing that at every stage of their education they may be subjected to drug testing.”
The NDLEA boss noted that the agency had long advocated the policy and expressed appreciation to the Minister of Education and his team for their support in bringing it to fruition. He added that the agency was fully prepared to work with educational institutions to ensure the effective implementation of the policy, which he said would positively impact youth development, national security and productivity in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Marwa also commended Prof. Bako for establishing a Directorate of Narcotics and Drug Abuse Prohibition at Taraba State University, describing the move as a model for other institutions. He pledged the NDLEA’s support through capacity-building training and other collaborative initiatives.
In his remarks, Prof. Bako praised Marwa’s leadership of the NDLEA, citing the agency’s professionalism, openness and collaborative approach, which he said had earned it national and international recognition. He congratulated the NDLEA chairman on the renewal of his tenure, noting that his sustained efforts have contributed to 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 explained that the visit was also to strengthen the existing relationship between Taraba State University and the NDLEA, which began in August 2024 with the inauguration of the university’s Directorate of Narcotics and Drug Abuse Prohibition, the launch of the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) by the NDLEA Taraba State Command, and the establishment of the TSU Drug Free Club.
Prof. Bako expressed the university’s readiness to deepen collaboration with the NDLEA in areas including research on substance use disorders, policy-oriented studies, public enlightenment campaigns, capacity building, student internship programmes and community outreach initiatives within Taraba State and beyond. He said such partnership would further strengthen the institution’s drug control and prevention frameworks.
