The Federal Government has introduced Nigeria’s first national policy on drug and substance abuse in schools, aimed at curbing rising addiction cases among students.
Minister of Education Tunji Alausa, who launched the document in Abuja on Monday, said the ministry is adopting an 80% implementation and 20% policy-development model to ensure reforms translate into measurable results nationwide. He acknowledged the support of partners such as UNESCO and UNICEF.
Alausa also announced the National Teachers’ Policy, designed to boost teacher quality through digital training and mandatory licensing via the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria.
The minister said the new drug-abuse policy includes counselling and behavioural support, with penalties for repeat offenders.
Kwara State Education Commissioner Lawal Olohungbebe pledged full state-level implementation, stressing that execution rests with state governments.
To support enforcement, the ministry has revised the curriculum to include drug-prevention lessons and established a Substance Use Prevention Unit. In partnership with the NDLEA, the government will introduce awareness campaigns and mandatory drug-integrity testing in tertiary institutions. UBEC and TETFUND will also work with the NDLEA Academy in Jos to train teachers.
