The Federal Government has ordered Universities, Polytechnics, and colleges of education across Nigeria to suspend students repeatedly found guilty of drug abuse, marking one of the strictest anti substance abuse measures introduced in the country's higher education sector in recent years.

The directive is contained in the newly introduced National Implementation Guidelines Against Drugs and Substance Use in Schools in Nigeria (Tertiary Institutions), a framework regulating drug testing, counselling, rehabilitation, and disciplinary procedures across campuses nationwide.

Under the policy, all tertiary Institutions must conduct compulsory drug integrity tests for newly admitted students in partnership with approved healthcare facilities, with the aim of identifying and addressing substance abuse early.

Students who fail the initial screening will be referred for counselling and treatment before undergoing a second round of testing. Those who continue to test positive after the second and third stages face temporary suspension from campus activities to complete professional rehabilitation. Students who refuse treatment or rehabilitation may also be separated from the academic environment until they are medically certified fit to return.

Institutions are additionally required to conduct periodic drug screenings for returning students at least once every academic session to maintain safe learning environments.

The policy extends beyond students. Shop owners and commercial operators within campuses linked to drug related activities risk losing their operational licences and may be referred to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

Education officials tied the directive to rising concerns over the prevalence of cannabis, tramadol, codeine, and other psychoactive substances among young Nigerians, with authorities warning that abuse has contributed to cultism, violence, mental health disorders, and declining academic performance across institutions.

The government further directed Institutions to establish disciplinary committees under student affairs divisions to oversee compliance and enforcement.

Stakeholders have welcomed the shift from advocacy to stricter regulation but cautioned that disciplinary measures alone are insufficient, urging authorities to simultaneously address unemployment, peer pressure, inadequate mental health support, and economic hardship as root drivers of drug dependency among students.

The guidelines are expected to prompt fresh debate across academic communities over balancing discipline, rehabilitation, and students' rights as institutions begin implementation.