Nigeria Introduces Mandatory Drug Testing for All Secondary School Students

By Tgnews Reporter

The Federal Government has rolled out compulsory drug testing for secondary school students across Nigeria as part of a sweeping new national policy to combat the rising tide of substance abuse among adolescents.

Under the National Implementation Guidelines Against Drug and Substance Use in Schools in Nigeria, all newly admitted students will undergo mandatory drug integrity tests at the point of entry into secondary schools.

The tests will be conducted in collaboration with approved federal and state health facilities.

The guidelines also mandate periodic and unannounced random drug screenings for both new and returning students at least once every academic session.

Students found in possession or using narcotic drugs and other controlled substances without school approval face a structured three-stage intervention process.

First-time offenders will receive counselling and initial treatment supervised by school authorities. Those who test positive a second time will be referred to professional health providers for specialised treatment.

Repeat offenders who fail to respond to interventions may be temporarily suspended from school and required to undergo full rehabilitation before being allowed to return.

The policy further requires compulsory pre-test and post-test counselling for students undergoing screening. Schools are directed to establish disciplinary committees to enforce compliance, while incidents of violence linked to substance abuse must be reported to law enforcement agencies.

The Federal Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), is expected to drive advocacy, sensitization, and proper implementation of the guidelines nationwide.

The new measures come amid growing concern over increasing cases of drug and substance abuse among Nigerian teenagers, which stakeholders say is adversely affecting academic performance, mental health, discipline, and overall school security.

The government defines drug abuse broadly to include the harmful use of both illicit substances and legal ones such as alcohol and tobacco. Students on legitimate prescribed medications are required to disclose them through their parents or guardians during admission.