The federal government in partnership with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has launched the inaugural national policy aimed at combating drug and substance abuse in educational institutions.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, introduced the policy on Monday in Abuja, stating that the ministry is adopting a model that prioritizes implementation, with eighty percent of efforts focused on this aspect and only twenty percent on policy formulation.
He noted that this approach aligns Nigeria with international best practices.
Alausa emphasized the need for Nigeria’s educational reforms to yield tangible results across all states and expressed gratitude to partners such as UNESCO and UNICEF for their support in the education sector.
He clarified that the new policy either enhances existing ones or address previously unregulated areas, stressing that while policy formulation is important, effective implementation is what truly drives change.
State commissioners of education will spearhead this process, with the federal government providing technical assistance and resources.
The first policy introduced is the national teachers policy, which outlines clear guidelines for enhancing teacher quality, skills, and professional development.
The government has expedited digital training for teachers and will soon launch a digital platform for ongoing education.
Alausa also announced that all public school teachers will be required to obtain licenses from the Teachers Registration Council to improve educational outcomes.
The second policy addresses drug and substance abuse in secondary and tertiary institutions.
Read also:
- Edo vigilante busts armoured cable theft syndicate in Benin
- Fire razes popular furniture sales outlet in Oleh
- Masari sets up 11-member committee over Bakori, Kankara killings
This marks the first instance of Nigeria establishing a national policy with a comprehensive implementation guide for tackling drug abuse in schools.
The policy encompasses counseling, behavioral support, and stringent penalties for repeat offenders.
Alausa stressed the government’s responsibility to safeguard youth, as addiction can have devastating effects on lives.
Kwara State Commissioner for Education, Lawal Olohungbebe, assured that all states will fully adopt the new policies, noting that implementation largely falls to the states and many initiatives can be integrated into the 2025 project plans.
To bolster efforts against drug abuse, the Ministry of Education has begun revising the secondary school curriculum to include drug prevention education, with intentions to extend this content to primary schools.
A new substance use prevention unit has also been established to oversee the program nationwide.
In collaboration with the NDLEA, the ministry is launching awareness campaigns, engaging parents, organizing competitions, and instituting mandatory drug integrity testing for new, returning, and randomly selected students in universities and colleges.
The partnership will also link the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) with the NDLEA Academy in Jos to train teachers and strengthen support systems, aiming to reduce drug use and enhance safety and learning across all educational levels.
