Mandatory drug test proposed for university admission in Kwara.

Hajia Fatima Abiola Popoola, the Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kwara State Command, has requested all universities to inform their candidate that there will be a mandatory drug test as part of the requirement for all newly admitted students.

This measure, she explained, aims to prevent drug misuse while offering early support and guidance to current users, preventing them away from problematic addiction.

She made this preventive recommendation during an interactive session with journalists in Ilorin, voiced her concern over the alarming increase in drug users, particularly among females, warning of severe consequences for families and society if left unchecked.

She said, “According to a 2018 survey, 14.3 million people were using drugs in Nigeria, one out of 7 persons in Nigeria is a drug user, and it also revealed that one out of 4 drug users is a woman, and this shows that the society is in trouble. This is because a woman is the administrator of the home and now that women have started abusing drug, then the society is in trouble.”

Abiola emphasized that the success of this initiatives depends on the unwavering support of stakeholders, majorly the traditional rulers in order to successfully wage a successful battle against drug trafficking.

“The traditional rulers have some control over their people, and they are the closest to the communities, and whenever they say a word, it almost becomes a law amongst their people who hold them in high esteem. They have a stronghold of their communities, and that is why they are very important in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse.

“We have been making use of the traditional rulers over the years. In fact, as part of our mandate and also the people that we grouped as stakeholders in the society, the traditional rulers are part of it. Because when traditional heads rise up in their respective communities against drug traffickers, their people will join them in the fight.

“In 2021, the then President, Muhammadu Buhari, launched the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) and in launching it, all traditional rulers were represented because the aim of this WADA is community mobilization, which will be led by the traditional rulers,” she said.

She however, urged traditional rulers to enhance community vigilance by positioning trusted informants to report drug-related issues, and ensure them of swift NDLEA support when needed.
The commander, who had earlier visited the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman, Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, expressed appreciation to the Emir for his support for the new leadership of the agency in the state.

“The Emir of Ilorin assured us of his support and cooperation. He even promised that other traditional heads in Kwara State will support us because any community that we are going into will be informed that we are coming, and this is very important for us, and we are really grateful to the Emir,” she said.