NDLEA PROPOSED DRUG TEST FOR ADMISSION SEEKERS
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kwara State Command, has proposed that drug testing should become a compulsory requirement for admission into Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
Speaking with journalists in Ilorin on Sunday, the NDLEA Commander in Kwara State, Hajia Fatima Abiola-Popoola, called on the National Universities Commission (NUC) to mandate drug tests for all prospective students before they are admitted into universities and other higher institutions.
According to her, introducing compulsory drug tests for admission seekers would serve as a strong preventive measure against the rising rate of drug abuse among young Nigerians.
Abiola-Popoola expressed concern over the increasing number of drug users in the country, particularly among women. Citing a 2018 national drug use survey, she revealed that 14.3 million Nigerians use drugs, meaning one out of every seven persons in the country is a drug user, while one in every four drug users is female.
“This shows that society is in trouble,” she said. “A woman is the administrator of the home, and if women are increasingly involved in drug abuse, then the entire society is at risk.”
The NDLEA commander also stressed the importance of collaboration with traditional rulers in combating drug trafficking and substance abuse. She noted that traditional institutions play a critical role in community mobilisation and enforcement due to the influence traditional leaders wield over their people.
“Traditional rulers are closest to the grassroots. Whatever they say often carries the weight of law in their communities. Their involvement is vital in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse,” she stated.
Abiola-Popoola recalled that in 2021, former President Muhammadu Buhari launched the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA), a national initiative focused on community mobilisation, with traditional rulers playing a central leadership role.
She urged traditional leaders to remain vigilant by appointing trusted individuals within their communities to gather intelligence on drug-related activities and to promptly alert the NDLEA when necessary.
The commander also disclosed that she recently paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of the Kwara State Council of Traditional Rulers, Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, to appreciate his support for the agency’s new leadership in the state.
According to her, the Emir assured the NDLEA of full cooperation and pledged that traditional rulers across Kwara State would support the agency’s efforts. She added that advance notification of NDLEA operations within communities would help ensure smoother enforcement and stronger community backing.
The proposed mandatory drug testing policy, if adopted by the NUC, could mark a significant shift in Nigeria’s university admission process and strengthen efforts to curb drug abuse among youths.