The National Association of Nigerian Students has called for mandatory drug testing in tertiary institutions.
It said the move would help tackle rising substance abuse and promote discipline across Nigerian campuses.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has urged the Federal Government to introduce compulsory drug testing for all students in tertiary institutions to curb the growing menace of substance abuse among youths.
In a statement issued by its President, Comrade Olushola Oladoja, NANS proposed the launch of a Drug-Free Campus Initiative (DFCI) aimed at promoting discipline, improving academic standards, and safeguarding the country’s human capital.
Oladoja described the increasing rate of drug use among students as a national emergency threatening academic focus, moral values, and productivity. He noted that substance abuse had moved beyond isolated incidents to become a widespread challenge affecting learning and safety on campuses.
The association listed cannabis, tramadol, codeine, and methamphetamine (popularly known as mkpurummiri) as the most commonly misused substances, linking them to cultism, violence, and frequent campus crises.
According to NANS, drug use has become a major driver of aggressive behavior and moral decay in higher institutions, calling for structured interventions and consistent enforcement.
The group recommended that drug testing be made mandatory at the point of admission and again before graduation, under the supervision of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and university health departments. It also advocated for the creation of Drug-Free Clubs across campuses and the inclusion of drug education in students’ orientation programmes and General Studies courses.
NANS further emphasized that students found to be using drugs should be provided access to rehabilitation and counselling rather than punishment or stigmatization.
Oladoja cautioned that ignoring the rising trend of drug abuse poses a grave threat to Nigeria’s future leadership and development goals. He called for collaboration between the Ministry of Education, NDLEA, and student unions to make tertiary institutions safe and free from drugs.
He said the vision of a prosperous nation depends on raising a generation of mentally stable, morally upright, and drug-free students.
