Kwara Education University Imposes Compulsory Drug Screening
Freshly admitted students at Kwara State University of Education, Ilorin, are facing a new admission requirement that has triggered widespread discontent across the campus. The institution has mandated that all new students must undergo a compulsory drug integrity test conducted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) or risk losing their admission.
The controversial policy requires students to register and schedule appointments through the NDLEA online portal at drugandvisa.ndlea.gov.ng, with the resulting certificate becoming a mandatory document for final admission clearance.
Financial Burden Sparks Student Backlash
What has particularly angered the student community is the additional financial burden of ₦7,500 attached to the compulsory test. Many students who spoke with our correspondents described the fee as "unfair and unnecessary" given the already rising costs of education.
"We are already struggling with increased tuition fees and expensive hostel accommodation. Now the university expects us to pay another ₦7,500 for a test we didn't ask for," one frustrated freshman revealed.
Another student highlighted the timing of the announcement as particularly problematic, noting that the directive came after most students had already completed their registration payments. "Why wasn't this included in the initial service charges? They collected all our money and now spring this surprise on us," the student questioned.
Calls for Policy Review and Cost Absorption
The student body is now demanding that the university administration either absorb the testing costs or integrate them into existing mandatory charges. Many argue that while they support the concept of drug-free campuses, the financial burden should not fall entirely on students already grappling with transportation and accommodation expenses.
"This policy shows insensitivity to the current economic reality facing Nigerian families. Everything has become more expensive, and this additional fee only adds to our struggles," a student representative stated.
The university's registrar office has remained firm on the policy, emphasizing in their directive that no student will receive clearance without presenting the NDLEA drug test certificate. The notification and certificate must be submitted alongside other screened documents during the clearance process.
As the controversy continues to unfold, affected students and their parents are hoping the university administration will reconsider the implementation timing and financial aspects of the new drug testing requirement.
