FG Mandates Drug Tests for Secondary School Students

The Federal Government has rolled out a tough new policy to tackle drug abuse in Nigerian secondary schools, introducing mandatory drug testing for students and the possibility of suspension for repeat offenders.

Under the National Implementation Guidelines Against Drug and Substance Use in Schools, all newly admitted students will face compulsory drug screening at entry. The policy document, obtained by journalists, lays out a framework schools must follow to identify and support students struggling with substance abuse.

Education Minister Tunji Alausa said the move targets the growing number of adolescents using drugs, which has begun to affect academic performance and discipline in classrooms across the country.

How the testing works

Schools must conduct drug tests for new students during admission, working with approved health facilities. The guidelines also require periodic and surprise tests at least once per academic session for all students.

Students who test positive enter a three-stage intervention process. First comes counselling and initial treatment arranged by school authorities. A second positive result triggers referral to medical professionals for specialised care. Those who test positive a third time face temporary suspension while undergoing rehabilitation.

The policy makes clear that violent behaviour linked to drug use must be reported to police. Students refusing prescribed treatment will be separated from the school environment until deemed stable by medical professionals.

Counselling required

Both pre-test and post-test counselling are mandatory. Before screening, staff must explain the process to reduce anxiety and build trust. After results arrive, counsellors help students accept outcomes and connect them with support — whether tests came back positive or negative.

Students needing controlled medication for legitimate health conditions must declare these through parents or guardians during admission, with approval from school authorities.

Questions about implementation

While education and health stakeholders have broadly welcomed the policy’s intent, some raise practical concerns: access to approved health facilities, cost of testing across thousands of public schools, and whether student privacy will be adequately protected.

Every school must establish a disciplinary committee led by the administrator to enforce the rules. The guidelines stress that the goal is identifying students who need help, not punishment for its own sake.

Sources: Punch Newspapers, Edugist, NDLEA official statement