The Federal Government has announced plans to enforce compulsory drug testing for students in secondary schools across Nigeria as part of new measures aimed at tackling rising substance abuse among teenagers.
The directive is contained in the National Implementation Guidelines Against Drug and Substance Use in Schools in Nigeria, a policy framework designed to promote safer and healthier learning environments across the country.
Under the new policy, all newly admitted students will undergo mandatory drug screening before admission, while returning students will also be subjected to routine drug tests at least once every academic session.
According to the government, the initiative is intended to curb increasing cases of drug abuse among adolescents and improve students’ mental health, behaviour, and academic performance.
The guidelines prohibit students from possessing or using narcotics, controlled substances, or banned drugs without approval from school authorities.
To address cases of substance abuse, the policy introduced a three-stage intervention process for students who test positive.
Students who fail the first drug test will receive counselling and treatment recommended by school authorities. Those who test positive again will be referred to medical professionals for further evaluation and treatment.
Students who continue to test positive after repeated interventions may be temporarily withdrawn from the school environment to undergo professional rehabilitation and recovery programmes.
The policy also makes counselling compulsory before and after every drug test. Pre-test counselling will help students understand the screening process and reduce anxiety, while post-test counselling will assist students in interpreting results and accessing support services where necessary.
In addition, all secondary schools are expected to establish disciplinary committees to ensure compliance with the new rules. Schools are also directed to report violent incidents linked to substance abuse to relevant law enforcement agencies.
The Federal Government added that students who refuse recommended treatment or rehabilitation programmes could face temporary suspension until they are certified fit to return to school.
