The Federal Government has introduced tougher measures against drug abuse in Nigerian tertiary institutions, directing universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education to temporarily suspend students who repeatedly test positive for illegal substances.
The directive is contained in the newly released National Implementation Guidelines Against Drugs and Substance Use in Schools in Nigeria (Tertiary Institutions), a policy framework designed to strengthen the fight against substance abuse across campuses nationwide.
According to the guidelines obtained in Abuja, the new policy will require mandatory drug testing for newly admitted students, regular screening for returning students, counselling, rehabilitation programmes, and disciplinary actions for persistent offenders.
Under the new rules, students who continue to test positive for drugs after multiple interventions may be removed from the academic environment until they complete treatment and rehabilitation supervised by medical professionals.
The document explained that the government’s objective is not only to punish offenders but also to identify students struggling with substance abuse early enough and provide them with professional support before the situation worsens.
According to the policy, every student admitted into a tertiary institution will undergo an initial drug integrity test conducted in collaboration with approved health facilities.
The guideline stated that the first stage of testing is meant to assess the health condition of students and identify individuals who may already be involved in drug use.
The government explained that students who fail the initial screening will immediately undergo counselling and treatment programmes before facing another round of testing.
The policy further stated that any student who tests positive during the second screening will be subjected to a third and final drug test.
It added that students who fail the third stage will face temporary suspension from campus activities and academic environments while undergoing professional rehabilitation and treatment.
The guideline stated in part that students who repeatedly test positive “shall be temporarily suspended from the school environment to take treatment from a professional and undergo rehabilitation.”
Authorities also warned that any student who refuses rehabilitation procedures or fails to cooperate with treatment programmes could remain separated from the school environment until medical experts certify them fit and stable.
Beyond newly admitted students, the Federal Government directed institutions to carry out periodic drug tests for all returning students at least once every academic session as part of efforts to maintain safer and healthier campuses.
The policy also instructed tertiary institutions to establish special disciplinary committees under student affairs divisions to supervise enforcement of the anti-drug regulations and ensure compliance with the new measures.
Campus business operators and vendors were not left out of the new regulations.
The Federal Government warned that shop owners or vendors found engaging in drug-related activities within campuses risk losing their operational licences and may also be handed over to security agencies, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
The tougher stance comes amid increasing concerns over the rising rate of substance abuse among Nigerian youths, especially within universities and other higher institutions.
Several reports from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and local drug surveys have consistently shown growing abuse of substances such as cannabis, tramadol, codeine, and other psychoactive drugs among students and young Nigerians.
Education authorities and security agencies have repeatedly linked drug abuse on campuses to cultism, violent crimes, declining academic performance, mental health challenges, and rising insecurity within school environments.
In recent years, the NDLEA and the Federal Government have intensified awareness campaigns across schools, warning that substance abuse has become both a major health crisis and a national security threat.
The latest guidelines indicate a stricter regulatory approach by the government, combining counselling, treatment, rehabilitation, and disciplinary actions to discourage drug abuse while promoting healthier learning environments in tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
