FG Imposes Compulsory Drug Testing on  Secondary School Students 

Summary: The Federal government has introduced compulsory drug testing for Nigerian secondary school students nationwide. This measure aims to curb substance abuse among adolescents, improve mental health, and provide early intervention and rehabilitation for affected students. 

The Nigerian Federal Government has introduced compulsory drug testing for all secondary school students across the country. This measure is contained in the National Implementation Guidelines Against Drug and Substance Use in Schools in Nigeria, which aims to curb substance abuse among adolescents, improve mental health, and provide early intervention and rehabilitation for affected students. 

According to the new policy guidelines, all newly admitted students in Nigerian secondary schools will be subjected to compulsory drug integrity tests at the point of admission. Then, both new and returning students will undergo periodic tests in a health facility approved by the Federal government. 

“All new students/learners shall be subjected to drug tests and other measures approved by the schools/learning centres at the point of entry, in collaboration with approved federal/state health facilities and procedures. All students/learners shall undergo periodic drug tests as recommended by appropriate authorities,” the policy reads. 

In addition, the policy prohibits students from using or possessing narcotic drugs, controlled substances or other drugs of abuse without authorisation from school authorities. It maintains that if any student requires controlled medication for medical conditions, this must be made known to the appropriate authorities through their parents or guardians at the time of admission.

The policy also states a three-stage testing and intervention process for students who test positive for drug abuse. They will undergo counselling and initial treatment as determined by the school authorities. The second positive test will be referred to professionals for further treatment and specialised attention. The third testing will be a temporary suspension from the school environment.

“If found to be positive again, such a student shall be temporarily suspended from the school environment to take treatment from a professional and undergo rehabilitation that might be found appropriate by the professional,” the policy stated.

To ensure compliance, the policy mandated that every school establish a disciplinary committee, headed by the school administrator, to oversee the project. Students who do not comply with the prescribed treatment or rehabilitation procedures will be temporarily removed from the school environment until they are deemed stable.