LASUED to Conduct Drug Tests on 4,500 Prospective Students Before Admission

The Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), Prof. Bilkis Lafiaji-Okuneye, has announced that 4,500 prospective students will undergo mandatory drug testing before being admitted into the university.

Prof. Lafiaji-Okuneye shared that the decision was prompted by an incident months ago involving a drug-addicted student who caused panic on campus. To maintain a safe and conducive learning environment, the university has partnered with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for the 2024/25 admission exercise.

She stressed that no matter how excellent a candidate’s UTME or SSCE results are, admission will not be granted until the student is certified drug-free.

Acknowledging the extra financial burden drug testing imposes on the institution, the Vice-Chancellor emphasized that the cost is justified to safeguard students’ mental and academic well-being and to uphold high standards for the young university.

“As a teacher training institution, we are committed to instilling the morals and discipline necessary for future educators,” she said. “Our graduates will shape the character of pupils and students nationwide, so we must ensure they possess these values.”

Prof. Lafiaji-Okuneye lamented the influx of socially unprepared students into universities and urged parents to play a proactive role in nurturing strong social values in their children.

She advised parents to help fortify their children against peer pressure and warned against pushing students through school prematurely or using special centers to obtain unearned qualifications.

“Results from miracle centers are mere flukes and do not equip students with the resilience needed to thrive in university,” she remarked.

The Vice-Chancellor also expressed concern over the increasing number of student withdrawals, attributing this trend to those admitted with unearned certificates who struggle to meet university standards.

On a positive note, she commended the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for introducing advanced security features in its exams, which have significantly reduced malpractice, including impersonation.