Federal Government orders universities to suspend students convicted ofdrug offenses

The Federal Government has instructed all universities and tertiary institutions nationwide to temporarily suspend students who repeatedly test positive for drugs, as part of new measures to combat substance abuse in schools.

The instruction appears in the National Implementation Guidelines Against Drugs and Substance Use in Schools in Nigeria (Tertiary Institutions), which set out procedures for compulsory drug testing, counselling, treatment and rehabilitation for students.

The document was obtained by our correspondent in Abuja on Tuesday.

According to the guidelines, students who test positive after three stages of drug screening and intervention may be removed from the school environment pending rehabilitation.

“Students found to be positive in the second testing stage shall be made to undergo a third stage of testing, and 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,” the policy states.

The guidelines also require all tertiary institutions to carry out mandatory drug integrity tests for newly admitted students in partnership with approved health facilities.

The document says the aim is to identify students who may need assistance while fostering safer and healthier learning environments across campuses.

“The aim is to identify students who may need help, promote a safe and healthy school environment,” the guidelines note.

The government indicated that the testing process will begin with an initial assessment to determine each student’s health status.

“The first test is to ascertain the health status of every student. Persons found to be positive to drugs shall undergo the initial intervention and treatment, which shall include counselling,” the document adds.

Students who fail the first test will receive counselling and treatment before undergoing a second screening.

Those who test positive again will be referred to professionals for further medical attention and rehabilitation.

The guidelines also mandate periodic drug testing for returning students at least once each academic session.

In addition to sanctions for students, institutions are directed to establish disciplinary committees headed by student‑affairs officers to oversee compliance and enforcement.

The document further warns that students who refuse rehabilitation procedures may be separated from the school environment until they are deemed stable.

“Any student who refuses to abide by the treatment/rehabilitation procedures shall be temporarily separated from the school environment until he/she is found to be stable,” the guidelines state.

The policy also extends to shop owners and vendors operating on campuses.

The government cautioned that vendors linked to drug‑related activities could lose their operating licences and be reported to law‑enforcement agencies, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

The new measures come amid growing concerns over rising cases of substance abuse among young Nigerians, particularly within tertiary institutions.

Data from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and previous national drug‑use surveys have consistently shown increasing rates of drug consumption among Nigerian youths, with substances such as cannabis, codeine, tramadol and other psychoactive drugs commonly abused.

Authorities and education stakeholders have repeatedly warned that drug abuse is contributing to cultism, violent behaviour, declining academic performance, mental‑health challenges and insecurity on campuses.

In recent years, the Federal Government and the NDLEA have intensified advocacy campaigns in schools, emphasizing that substance abuse among students has become a major public‑health and security concern.

The latest guidelines signal a tougher regulatory approach, combining counselling and rehabilitation with disciplinary measures aimed at discouraging drug use within tertiary institutions.