The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS),has urged tertiary institutions across the country to introduce compulsory drug testing for both fresh and graduating students as part of their clearance process.
The student body said the move would help tackle the growing menace of substance abuse on campuses and promote discipline among undergraduates.
NANS President, Comrade Olushola Oladoja, made the call in Abuja, yesterday during a sensitisation campaign on drug abuse and the need for a drug-free student community.
Oladoja said the proposal, to be supervised by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and health units of tertiary institutions, would serve as a preventive and corrective measure against drug misuse among students.
He explained, “Every new student should undergo drug testing during admission clearance, and every final-year student should be tested before graduation.
“This is necessary to ensure that no one leaves the campus under the influence of substances that destroy potential.”
The NANS leader also called for the creation of Drug-Free Clubs or committees in all tertiary institutions, to be supported by the NDLEA and student unions.
He said the clubs would drive awareness, counselling, and peer education, while drug abuse sensitisation should become a compulsory part of orientation and General Studies (GST) courses.
According to Oladoja, students found using substances should be sent for rehabilitation and counselling rather than being stigmatised.
He stressed that the campaign required the collective effort of the NDLEA, Ministry of Education, and school managements through regular seminars, testing, and awareness programmes.
“Drug abuse among students is a clear and present danger to Nigeria’s educational system and national stability,” he said. “We must begin the fight from our campuses. A drug-free academic environment is key to effective learning, safety, and moral development.”
Oladoja urged the government, school authorities, and civil society organisations to support a Drug-Free Campus Initiative (DFCI) that would make Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges models of moral uprightness and intellectual growth.
“The dream of a prosperous Nigeria begins with a generation of mentally sound, morally upright, and drug-free students,” he added. “
