Reactions as NDLEA proposes mandatory drug tests for admission-seeking students
Some Nigerians have taken to their social media accounts to react to the proposal that universities should require newly admitted students to undergo mandatory drug tests as part of their admission process.
The Commandant of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kwara State, Hajia Fatima Abiola-Popoola, stated this on Sunday saying it would “Serve as a preventive measure while offering early intervention and counselling for those already using drugs to prevent them from becoming problematic users”.
However, some netizens have condemned the plan with some of them suggesting that it is a ploy to further frustrate admission-seeking Nigerians.
Some others argued that the set of Nigerians who need the drug tests and political officeholders whose decisions affects the country directly.
One of the netizens who took to X to address the proposal, Henry Augustine, said, “Start from government parastatals; from the president to the least office. Then you can start mandatory for varsity admission and admitted ones. No one will be left behind”
“So not for politicians who lead a whole nation? It’s good but we must from those who holds positions of responsibility, from people like him and then down to the Keke rider,” Charles Ingreen said.
Another user, Ekwu Obinna noted, “That’s good, also advocate and push for mandatory drugs test for all political officeholders and their appointees, start from Aso Rock, we might get handful from there.”
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A user, Kachi, who added his voice said, “Every govt agency is just looking for a way to force the public to pass through them so that they can charge some sort of fees. Exploitative mindset.”
“This is an abuse of human rights. Why Subject people to unnecessary test? Who will bear the cost? Unfortunately, we love chasing shadows. No Nigerian deserves HELL FIRE. Bring a Nigerian is enough,” Dr Grey added his voice.
@StarStar said, “Another means of collecting monies from students. Nothing good here. Let them concentrate on those contesting for elections.”
However, some netizens have a diverse reactions to the the proposal.
RobinOfNaija said, “The point is, is this a good idea from NDLEA or not. The fact that Obi didn’t suggest this can’t make it wrong cos y’all are so demented to think that Obi, as dull and deceitfully corrupt as he is makes him a honest man.” (sic)
@NYFA wrote, “This makes a lot of sense, BUT if students test positive, then NDLEA should, as a matter of urgency, rehabilitate the students before admission. Our universities are gradually becoming a hub of smokers, Internet scammers, and prostitutes. Bad leadership births bad systems.”
“Excellent idea. To be result oriented, this must NOT be a burden to the students/parents. Govt/NDLEA is should make the test free for the students and there should be designated and accessible locations for the test. There is an urgent need to arrest drug use and criminality,” @Emmy wrote on X.
