The Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), Professor Bilkis Lafiaji-Okuneye, has announced that 4,500 prospective students will undergo mandatory drug testing as part of the university’s admission process.
Professor Lafiaji-Okuneye explained that the decision was prompted by a recent incident involving a drug-dependent student, which caused significant disruption on campus.
She emphasized that the initiative is crucial to maintaining a safe and disciplined academic environment.
To implement the policy, LASUED has partnered with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for the 2024/25 admissions cycle.
The Vice-Chancellor made it clear that outstanding scores in the University Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) will not guarantee admission unless the candidate is certified drug-free.
While acknowledging the financial implications of the testing program, she affirmed that the investment is justified.
According to her, it will promote students’ mental well-being, enhance academic performance, and uphold the standards of the newly established university.
“We are a teacher grooming institution, therefore we aim to instill in our would-be teachers the morals and discipline worthy of a teacher.
“This will enable them to impact the same on pupils and students alike after their career training here.
“These are going to be the nation’s teachers tomorrow so the institution is taking extra measures to make the best out of them, for you cannot give what you don’t have,” she said.
Lafiaji-Okuneye raised concerns over the growing number of socially unprepared students entering universities, urging parents to take an active role in informally instilling core social values in their children.
She emphasized the importance of equipping young people with strong moral foundations to help them resist peer pressure and avoid harmful behaviors such as drug use and other forms of campus deviance.
The vice-chancellor advised parents to allow their children to progress academically at a natural pace, rather than pressuring educators to promote them prematurely.
She also condemned the practice of patronizing so-called “special centres” to secure passing grades in key examinations like the SSCE and UTME.
According to her, results obtained from these “miracle centres” are unreliable and fail to cultivate the academic resilience necessary to thrive in a university environment.
Lafiaji-Okuneye lamented the recent increase in student withdrawals, attributing the trend to individuals who entered the university with unmerited qualifications and were unable to meet academic expectations.
She also commended JAMB for its continued efforts to enhance examination security, noting that incidents of impersonation and other forms of malpractice have significantly declined.
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