The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Federal Ministry of Education have agreed to implement compulsory drug integrity testing for students in tertiary institutions, and update the secondary school syllabus to include extensive drug education.
The decision was reached during a meeting in Abuja between NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) and Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa.
Marwa also emphasized the need to reduce the consumption of substances among Nigerian youths as it is linked with heightened insecurity, terrorism, and banditry. He added that over the last two years, the agency had arrested over 40,000 drug peddlers, secured 8,682 convictions, and seized over 5,500 metric tons of illegal substances. He also made the revelation that over one billion pills of opioids, with a majority being tramadol, valued at over ₦1 trillion, were seized within that period.
This is a war for the heart and soul of our children,” Marwa stated, calling for more coordination with the education department to end the drug plague in schools.
In response, Minister Alausa proposed the formation of a technical joint working group to ensure effective implementation. He promised that the secondary school curriculum is under review and pledged to incorporate drug education immediately. He hinted that he would also look at taking the program into primary schools in the future.
Both agreed that the project is an important milestone towards addressing Nigeria’s increasing drug issue and protecting future generations.
