In a landmark policy shift aimed at curbing substance abuse among Nigeria’s youth, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Federal Ministry of Education have agreed to embed comprehensive drug education into school curricula and initiate mandatory drug testing for tertiary institution students.
This decision was reached following a high-level meeting between NDLEA Chairman and CEO, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), and the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, in Abuja on Wednesday.
“The purpose of this visit is to seek collaboration with this esteemed ministry in our collective efforts towards drug control in Nigeria,” said Marwa. “There are millions of our children under the supervision of this ministry. We are actually fighting for the souls of our children.”
Drug Abuse Threatens National Security and Youth Potential — Marwa
Marwa noted that drug abuse not only hampers the intellectual and social growth of young people but also fuels insecurity across the country.
“Drug use is exacerbating criminal activities — Boko Haram, terrorism, banditry. Without drugs, they wouldn’t be able to do what they are doing,” he stated. “Through law enforcement action, we have dealt mortal blows to drug cartels. Supported by President Bola Tinubu, we have arrested 40,887 criminal elements, secured 8,682 convictions, and seized 5,507 metric tons of illicit drugs.”

The NDLEA boss also revealed that the agency has intercepted over one billion tramadol pills — worth more than ₦1 trillion — between January 2024 and July 2025.
President Tinubu, according to Marwa, has greenlit the construction of seven new rehabilitation centres and one model facility in each geo-political zone, to bolster nationwide recovery efforts.
Three-Pronged Proposal for Educational Institutions
Marwa proposed three key interventions:
1. Review the existing drug education curriculum in secondary schools to reflect modern realities and substances.
2. Introduce stand-alone drug prevention programmes — including lectures, competitions, and parent-involved activities.
3. Institutionalise drug integrity testing in universities for:
New students,
Returning students,
Random selection.
“This policy will encourage students to avoid drugs, knowing there are consequences. And the consequences do not necessarily mean rustication,” Marwa added.
Education Minister Endorses Full Collaboration
Dr. Alausa, visibly moved by Marwa’s presentation, expressed strong support for NDLEA’s mission.
“When youths get into drugs, they won’t go to school, or when they do, they are not getting functional education. Their ability to make informed decisions later in life becomes significantly reduced,” the Minister said. “We must tackle this menace, and tackle it very quickly.”

He also praised Marwa’s decades-long dedication to public service, remarking:
“Since I knew him 30 years ago, he’s still serving this country. You could see the passion in how he laid out the problem and what he wanted us to do.”
New Unit to Combat Drug Abuse in Schools
Alausa pledged full cooperation by initiating several steps immediately, including:
Formation of an inter-ministerial technical working group with NDLEA,
Creation of a Substance Use Prevention Unit within the ministry,
Review of the secondary school curriculum to include drug education,
Expansion of awareness to primary schools.
“We will also design ongoing stand-alone programmes and roll them out in schools,” Alausa affirmed. “As for the drug test policy in tertiary institutions — we will do it. We don’t have a choice.”
He further promised to engage the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and TETFUND to support the NDLEA Academy in Jos.
Action Already Underway
Immediately following the meeting, Mr. Abel Oluwamuyiwa Enitan, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, confirmed the establishment of the new Substance Use Prevention Unit, signaling swift implementation of the resolutions.
Conclusion
This development marks a significant stride in Nigeria’s war on drugs, particularly among the youth. With both the NDLEA and the Ministry of Education aligned on strategy and execution, experts say the initiative could potentially reshape the educational and social landscape by addressing substance abuse from its root.