The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), has said the newly launched drug test policy for schools will significantly discourage young Nigerians from abusing illicit substances, particularly those seeking admission into tertiary institutions.
Marwa made this known at the weekend while receiving the Vice Chancellor of Taraba State University (TSU), Jalingo, Professor Sunday Paul Bako, who led a delegation of the university’s management team to the NDLEA headquarters to seek partnership in the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
According to the NDLEA boss, the agency is pleased to collaborate with TSU and the Taraba State Government, noting that the university’s efforts align with the new national policy on drug integrity tests for students in tertiary institutions.
“We are glad to work and partner with you, your university and the Taraba State Government on this matter. What you are doing aligns with the new national policy for tertiary institutions, which includes compulsory and random drug integrity tests for students,” Marwa said.
He explained that the initiative, jointly driven by the Federal Ministry of Education and the NDLEA, is aimed at combating substance abuse among young people across the country.
“This is not in any way punitive but a strategic intervention that will largely discourage youths from substance abuse because they know that at every stage of their education, they may face compulsory drug tests,” he added.
Marwa noted that the NDLEA has long advocated for the policy and expressed appreciation to the Minister of Education and his team for their support. He assured that the agency is fully prepared to work with schools nationwide to ensure the success of the initiative, which he said would positively impact youth development, security and national productivity in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He also commended Professor Bako for establishing a full Directorate of Narcotics and Drug Abuse Prohibition at Taraba State University, describing the move as pioneering. Marwa pledged NDLEA’s support through capacity-building training and other areas of collaboration.
In his remarks, the TSU Vice Chancellor praised Marwa’s leadership of the NDLEA, describing it as professional, transparent and collaborative, qualities he said have earned the agency both national and international recognition.
He congratulated Marwa on the renewal of his tenure, noting that his commitment to combating drug abuse has played a significant role in safeguarding Nigerian youths and securing the nation’s future.
Professor Bako 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 recalled that the partnership between TSU and the NDLEA dates back to August 22, 2024, during the inauguration of the Directorate of Narcotics and Drug Abuse Prohibition and the launch of the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative by the NDLEA Taraba State Command.
He further expressed the university’s readiness to deepen collaboration with the NDLEA in areas such as research on substance use disorder, policy-oriented studies, public sensitization programmes, capacity-building training, student internship opportunities and community outreach initiatives within Taraba State and beyond.
According to him, partnership with the NDLEA will strengthen Taraba State University’s institutional policies and programmes aimed at promoting a drug-free academic environment.
Source : ndlea.gov.ng