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FG orders varsities to suspend drug offenders
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The Federal Government has directed universities and other tertiary institutions across the country to temporarily suspend students who repeatedly test positive for drugs, as part of new measures aimed at tackling substance abuse in schools.
The directive is contained in the National Implementation Guidelines Against Drugs and Substance Use in Schools in Nigeria (Tertiary Institutions), which outlines procedures for mandatory drug testing, counselling, treatment and rehabilitation for students.
It was obtained by our correspondent in Abuja on Tuesday.
Under the guidelines, students who test positive after undergoing three stages of drug screening and intervention could 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 stated.
It also directed all tertiary institutions to conduct mandatory drug integrity tests for newly admitted students in collaboration with approved health facilities.
According to the document, the objective is to identify students who may require help while promoting 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 stated.
The government stated that the testing process would commence with an initial assessment designed to determine the health status of students.
“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 added.
Students who fail the first test would undergo counselling and treatment before being subjected to a second screening.
Those who test positive again would be referred to professionals for further medical attention and rehabilitation.
The guidelines also mandated periodic drug testing for returning students at least once every academic session.
In addition to sanctions for students, institutions were directed to establish disciplinary committees headed by student affairs officers to oversee compliance and enforcement.
The document further warned that students who refuse rehabilitation procedures could also be separated from the school environment until they are considered 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 stated.
The policy extends beyond students to include shop owners and vendors operating within campuses.
The government warned 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 raised concerns 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, warning 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.
President Bola Tinubu has asked the senate to approve a constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police across Nigeria as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s security architecture.
The request was contained in a letter dated June 15, 2026, and read on the floor of the senate on Tuesday by Godswill Akpabio.
In the correspondence, Tinubu said the proposed Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) State Police Bill, 2026, seeks to amend the 1999 constitution to provide a legal framework for the creation of state police services.
The president said the bill is designed to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges by introducing a dual policing structure that would allow both federal and state policing systems to operate within a constitutional framework.
According to him, the proposal builds on previous legislative efforts by both chambers of the national assembly and contains additional safeguards to ensure effective implementation.
“This bill builds on the significant work already done in this regard by the House of Representatives and the Senate, and incorporates additional safeguards to ensure that the creation of a dual policing structure to address our nation’s evolving national security challenges, will be achieved quickly and effectively to the benefit of all Nigerians,” Tinubu said.
The president described the proposed legislation as a key component of his administration’s broader plan to reform Nigeria’s security system and improve the protection of lives and property.
“The proposed legislation is a critical component of our administration’s strategy to reorganize Nigeria’s security architecture to better protect our citizens, and I’m confident that the Senate will act quickly to consider and pass this bill,” he added.
Read Also: Amnesty International Demands Immediate Release of Omoyele Sowore, Condemns Detention
Tinubu urged lawmakers to give the proposal expeditious consideration.
Following the reading of the letter, Akpabio referred the bill to the senate committee on constitution review for further legislative action.
The committee was directed to report back to the chamber on the next legislative day.
The Nigerian Senate has fixed Wednesday for the passage of the state police bill.
The lawmakers had cut short their recess to consider the bill, which seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution and decentralise Nigeria’s policing system in response to worsening security challenges
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday transmitted an executive version of the bill to the Senate through a letter dated June 15, 2026.
The proposed legislation seeks to establish a dual policing system in which federal and state police forces operate alongside each other.
At the plenary on Tuesday, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the proposal as a key step towards restructuring Nigeria’s security framework.
The proposed legislation was immediately referred to the Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Constitution Review, chaired by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, which is expected to present its report for consideration and voting.
Akpabio called on senators to be present for the exercise, stressing the need for broad support to secure its passage.
“Every senator should endeavor to come tomorrow to be part of this exercise.
“We are going to be live tomorrow and your constituents will be seeing what you are doing,” he added.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has presented Certificates of Return to candidates who emerged victorious in the by-elections conducted on June 20, 2026, across Rivers, Enugu, Nasarawa, Ondo and Kano States.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the electoral commission.
According to INEC, the certificates were presented on behalf of the Commission’s Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, by the Supervising National Commissioner for Rivers State, Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu.
Speaking during the presentation, Agbamuche-Mbu congratulated the successful candidates and urged them to prioritise the interests of the people they were elected to represent.
“The most important responsibility before you is to represent your constituents well,” Agbamuche-Mbu said.
The National Commissioner also reminded the winners of the expectations placed on them by voters and encouraged them to serve with diligence and commitment.
INEC further disclosed that Certificates of Return would also be presented to winners of other recently concluded elections, including the Zuru State Constituency election in Kebbi State and the governorship election in Ekiti State.
INEC said the presentation of the certificates followed the conclusion of the bye-elections conducted on June 20, 2026.
Tinubu Seeks Constitutional Backing For State Police, Writes Senate
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