Education

FG Introduces Mandatory Drug Tests for Secondary School Students Nationwide

Published

2 months ago

May 11, 2026

Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa

FG Introduces Mandatory Drug Tests for Secondary School Students Nationwide

The Federal Government has introduced a new policy mandating drug testing for secondary school students as part of efforts to tackle rising substance abuse in schools across Nigeria. The move is aimed at improving discipline, safeguarding student welfare, and strengthening academic performance nationwide.

The policy is contained in the National Implementation Guidelines Against Drug and Substance Use in Schools in Nigeria, which applies to all secondary schools. It provides a structured framework for identifying, managing, and rehabilitating students involved in drug use, while promoting a safer learning environment.

Under the new guidelines, all newly admitted students are required to undergo compulsory drug integrity tests at the point of entry. In addition, returning students will also be subjected to periodic and surprise drug screenings at least once every academic session. The tests are to be conducted in collaboration with approved federal and state health facilities to ensure proper standards and procedures.

The guidelines also clearly prohibit students from possessing or using narcotic drugs, controlled substances, or other substances of abuse without authorisation from school authorities. However, students on prescribed medication are required to declare such drugs through their parents or guardians during the admission process.

A key feature of the policy is the introduction of a three-stage intervention system for students who test positive for drugs. In the first stage, affected students will undergo counselling and initial treatment under the supervision of school authorities, with the aim of early intervention and behavioural correction.

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If a student tests positive again, the second stage requires referral to professional healthcare providers for specialised treatment and further evaluation. This step is intended to ensure proper medical attention and structured rehabilitation support for affected students.

In cases where a student continues to test positive after repeated interventions, the third stage allows for temporary removal from the school environment. Such students will undergo rehabilitation under professional care before being considered fit to return to school.

The policy also makes pre-test and post-test counselling mandatory. Pre-test counselling is designed to prepare students for the screening process, reduce anxiety, explain expectations, and encourage cooperation. Post-test counselling, on the other hand, ensures that students understand their results and are guided towards appropriate support services where necessary.

To strengthen enforcement, the Federal Government has directed all schools to establish disciplinary committees headed by school administrators. These committees will oversee compliance, manage cases of drug-related misconduct, and coordinate intervention measures within schools.

The guidelines further state that incidents involving violence linked to substance abuse, such as fighting or inflicting injuries, must be reported to law enforcement agencies for appropriate action. Schools are also required to ensure strict monitoring to prevent the possession and use of illegal substances on campus.

The government says the overall objective of the policy is to reduce the growing incidence of drug abuse among students, which has been linked to poor academic performance, behavioural challenges, and rising youth crime. Authorities maintain that early detection and intervention will help protect vulnerable students and improve the education system.

While the policy has been welcomed by some stakeholders as a necessary step to protect young people, others have raised concerns about privacy, implementation challenges, and the availability of testing infrastructure across public schools. Despite these concerns, the Federal Government insists the initiative is preventive and rehabilitative rather than punitive.

FG Introduces Mandatory Drug Tests for Secondary School Students Nationwide

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Education

Teachers’ Union Demands Safe Rescue of Victims Before Schools Reopen in Oyo

Published

2 days ago

June 23, 2026

Trends Admin

Teachers’ Union Demands Safe Rescue of Victims Before Schools Reopen in Oyo

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Oyo State has declared that public schools across the state will remain closed until the government puts in place strong and verifiable security measures to protect both teachers and students following the recent mass abduction in Oriire Local Government Area.

The union said the decision followed the May 15 attack in which armed men invaded schools in parts of Oriire, abducting more than 40 students and teachers and killing at least two educators, an incident that has deepened fear and disrupted academic activities across the state.

The Oyo State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (Nigeria Union of Teachers) said the worsening insecurity forced its members to withdraw from classrooms indefinitely, warning that schools have become unsafe for both learners and educators. According to the union, the strike was not declared immediately after the attack. It said it initially engaged relevant authorities in hopes of a swift response but later concluded that the security situation had not improved enough to guarantee a safe return to classrooms.

Speaking in Ibadan, NUT Secretary, Mr. Olukayode Salami, said the reopening of schools now depends on two major conditions: the safe rescue of all abducted victims and the implementation of effective preventive security measures to stop future attacks. He said teachers would not return to classrooms until there is clear evidence of improved protection in vulnerable communities, especially in rural areas that have become frequent targets of attacks. Salami added that the emotional and psychological impact of the abduction has made it difficult for teachers to continue normal academic activities, noting that fear and panic have taken over many school environments.

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The union urged the government to urgently strengthen school security, especially in high-risk communities, stressing that educational institutions must no longer be treated as soft targets. It also called for increased security patrols, intelligence gathering, and joint operations involving conventional security agencies and local security groups to prevent further attacks. Salami stressed that the responsibility of protecting lives and property rests with the government, insisting that visible security presence is necessary to restore confidence among teachers, students, and parents.

The union disclosed that it has held several meetings with government officials and security stakeholders, leading to agreed action plans aimed at improving school safety across the state. However, it said it is still awaiting full implementation of these measures, particularly in vulnerable local government areas close to forested regions where recent attacks occurred.

As a result of the ongoing strike and security concerns, many schools in affected areas remain shut indefinitely, with no official timeline yet for reopening. Stakeholders have warned that academic activities may not resume fully until the government demonstrates clear commitment to securing schools and restoring public confidence. The union maintained that while schools cannot remain closed forever, safety must come before academic calendars.

Teachers’ Union Demands Safe Rescue of Victims Before Schools Reopen in Oyo

Education

Kwara Poly Suspends Lecturer for Flogging IJMB Exam Candidates

Published

2 days ago

June 23, 2026

Trends Admin

Kwara Poly Suspends Lecturer for Flogging IJMB Exam Candidates

The management of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin (Kwara Poly) , has suspended a lecturer captured in a viral video physically assaulting candidates of the Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB) programme during an examination exercise on the institution’s premises. The suspension followed public outrage after the video surfaced on social media on Monday, June 22, 2026, showing the lecturer caning candidates who were kneeling with their hands raised while taking turns to receive strokes of the cane on their palms. The footage triggered widespread criticism from Nigerians, many of whom condemned the use of corporal punishment in a tertiary institution and demanded disciplinary action against the lecturer involved.

National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) President, Akinteye Babatunde, strongly condemned the incident, insisting that students should not be subjected to physical punishment under any circumstances. In a statement shared on social media, he wrote: “A lecturer in Kwara State Polytechnic asked IJMB students to kneel down, and he beat them up with a cane. Such an act is condemnable. Students are not animals and should never be treated as such. There are different ways to punish erring students, not beating them up.” Babatunde further called on the institution’s management to investigate the matter and impose sanctions where necessary, noting that “as much as students must never assault lecturers or act rudely to them, lecturers don’t also have the right to assault students” . His remarks resonated with many Nigerians who took to social media to express their outrage and demand justice for the affected candidates.

Responding to the controversy, the institution, through a statement issued on Monday by its Public Relations Officer, Hajia Halimat Garba, clarified that those captured in the video were not regular students of the polytechnic but candidates of the IJMB programme who had arrived late for their ongoing examinations. The statement read: “The attention of Kwara State Polytechnic Management has been drawn to a viral video circulating on social media in which a lecturer is seen physically reprimanding students. The Management wishes to clarify that the students depicted in the video are not Polytechnic students but rather IJMB (Interim Joint Matriculation Board) candidates who arrived late for their ongoing examinations.” This clarification, however, did little to quell public anger, as many argued that the status of the students did not justify the use of physical force.

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While noting that the circumstances surrounding the lecturer’s action were still being investigated, the institution condemned the method adopted, describing it as wholly inappropriate and contrary to the polytechnic’s values. The management stated: “While the intention for which the action was done is not yet known, we must emphasize that the approach taken was wholly inappropriate, as the Polytechnic stands firmly against any form of violence or physical punishment as a means of discipline.” The institution reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a learning environment built on mutual respect and positive engagement, adding that “we believe that education should be rooted in respect, understanding, and constructive guidance, and that there are far more effective and humane ways to instill important values in students.”

However, some context has emerged regarding the incident. A staff member of the institution, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Legit.ng that the students involved were IJMB examination candidates who had repeatedly ignored warnings about lateness. The staff member explained that examination officials were under pressure to maintain order and ensure compliance with regulations, adding that “the Director was under pressure to ensure order and compliance with examination procedures so that affected students would not be completely denied the opportunity to sit for their papers.” Defending the lecturer’s character, the source added: “Those who know the Director personally can attest to his commitment to students’ academic success and welfare over the years. The scenario was a fatherly act to save the students.” This defence, however, was met with further criticism, with many arguing that corporal punishment is an outdated and unacceptable method of discipline in any educational setting.

Consequently, the polytechnic announced the immediate suspension of the lecturer from his duties pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation into the incident. The management stated: “The Polytechnic Management therefore suspends the concerned lecturer from his duties henceforth, pending the outcome of the findings on this matter.” The institution acknowledged the concerns raised by stakeholders and assured the public that the matter was being taken very seriously. “We appreciate the concerns raised by stakeholders regarding this incident and assure the public that the matter is being taken very seriously.”

The institution also reiterated its commitment to the integrity and values for which it is known, adding that necessary steps would be taken to prevent a recurrence of such incidents in the future. “In light of this incident, the Management wishes to express its sincere confidence to the public in the integrity and values for which Kwarapoly is known. We are determining the necessary steps to prevent a recurrence of such incidents in the future.”

The incident has renewed debates over acceptable disciplinary practices in Nigerian educational institutions, with many stakeholders calling for measures that prioritize respect, accountability, and student welfare. As the investigation continues, all eyes remain on Kwara State Polytechnic to see what further actions will be taken against the lecturer and what policies will be implemented to ensure that such incidents do not happen again.

Kwara Poly Suspends Lecturer for Flogging IJMB Exam Candidates

Education

US Mission Nigeria Opens 2026 Opportunity Fund for Nigerian Students – Apply Now

Published

2 days ago

June 23, 2026

Trends Admin

US Mission Nigeria Opens 2026 Opportunity Fund for Nigerian Students – Apply Now

The United States Mission in Nigeria has officially launched the application period for the 2026 cohort of the EducationUSA Nigeria Opportunity Fund Programme (OFP) , a strategic initiative designed to remove financial barriers for exceptional Nigerian students aspiring to study at American universities. According to an official notice from the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria, the application window opened on June 15, 2026, and will remain active until the firm deadline of June 30, 2026. This short application period requires prospective candidates to act swiftly and submit complete documentation before the portal closes.

The EducationUSA Opportunity Fund is not a full-tuition scholarship but a critical financial assistance mechanism that covers essential “gateway” costs associated with the U.S. college application process. Specifically, the fund helps qualified Nigerian students cover standardized test fees such as SAT, GRE, GMAT, and TOEFL/IELTS, as well as university application fees which can range from $50 to $100 per school, and other ancillary costs that often deter talented but economically disadvantaged students from applying to U.S. institutions. By offsetting these upfront expenses, the programme ensures that financial constraints do not prevent high-potential candidates from pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate studies in the United States.

The 2026 edition of the programme carries significant diplomatic weight, as it aligns with the Freedom250 celebration—a major milestone commemorating 250 years of American leadership, democratic values, and innovation. As the mission stated, “Freedom250 marks 250 years of American leadership, innovation and democratic values, and the OFP 2026 cohort will advance these priorities by preparing globally competitive talents aligned with US economic and strategic interests.” This alignment underscores the programme’s broader goal of strengthening educational exchange and deepening the economic and strategic ties between Nigeria and the United States.

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In a clear signal of U.S. workforce and security priorities, the mission announced that priority consideration will be given to students with outstanding academic records in fields critical to future global competitiveness. According to the notice, “Priority consideration will be given to the highest-performing students whose academic profiles and career trajectories align with US strategic interests in STEM, AI and critical emerging technologies.” Candidates pursuing degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and specialized fields like Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Data Science are strongly encouraged to apply.

To be considered for the 2026 Opportunity Fund, applicants must meet a stringent set of criteria emphasizing both academic prowess and personal integrity. These requirements include a proven track record of academic excellence with high grades and intellectual curiosity, demonstrated leadership potential through team or community initiatives, a clear and compelling desire to pursue higher education specifically in the United States, notable achievements and research experience in extracurricular activities or academic projects, and a demonstrable commitment to understanding and adhering to U.S. visa regulations and immigration laws. The Mission emphasized that “participants are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, compliance and accountability, including adherence to all U.S. visa regulations.”

While the Opportunity Fund offers a pathway to financial support, applicants must be aware of the broader immigration landscape. Starting in 2026, the U.S. has implemented a partial visa suspension for Nigerian nationals, which affects certain F, M, and J student visas. However, this suspension does not apply to individuals who already possess a valid U.S. visa issued before the effective date. Furthermore, the EducationUSA programme explicitly states that it will guide beneficiaries on the “proper use of student visas,” ensuring that participants are fully compliant and prepared for the visa interview process. This makes the programme not just a financial lifeline, but also a crucial guidance resource for navigating complex entry requirements.

How to Apply: Required Documents

Interested candidates must submit a comprehensive application package before the June 30 deadline. The application process requires the following documents:

Completed Application Form: The official EducationUSA Nigeria OFP application form, accurately filled out and submitted through the designated portal.
Academic Transcripts: Official academic records from all secondary and/or tertiary institutions previously attended, demonstrating a consistent record of high academic achievement.
Personal Statement: A compelling, well-written essay outlining the applicant’s study goals, career aspirations, leadership experiences, and reasons for choosing to pursue higher education in the United States.
Evidence of Achievements: Certificates, awards, recognitions, and other documentation that verify notable accomplishments in academics, extracurricular activities, community service, or professional settings.
Research Experience Documentation: Proof of participation in research projects, including abstracts, publications, conference presentations, or supervisor recommendations that validate research capability.
Letters of Recommendation: At least two reference letters from teachers, professors, employers, or mentors who can attest to the applicant’s academic ability, leadership qualities, and character.
Proof of Leadership Experience: Documentation or references that demonstrate active leadership roles in school, community, or professional organizations.
Valid Identification: A copy of a government-issued identification document, such as an international passport or national ID card.
Test Score Reports (if available): Copies of standardized test scores such as SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, or IELTS, if already taken (though the fund may assist with future test fees for selected candidates).

All applications must be submitted through the official EducationUSA Nigeria channel, and late submissions will not be entertained. Applicants are advised to double-check all requirements on the official EducationUSA Nigeria website and ensure that all documents are uploaded in the specified format before the deadline.