JUST IN! RSU to Conduct Compulsory Drug Test for SUG Election Contestants

Rivers State University, Nkpolu Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt has announced that contestants for its forthcoming Student Union Government (SUG) election will undergo compulsory drug test.

This was conveyed via an Internal Memo dated Friday, May 29, 2026 tagged: COMPULSORY DRUG TEST FOR ALL CONTESTANTS OF THE SUG ELECTION with Reference Number: SU/REG/229/VOL.21/56 and signed by the institution’s acting Registrar, Dr Idanyingi Daminabo.

“The 329th University Management Committee at its meeting held on Wednesday, 24th April, 2026 was informed of the partnership and flag off of the programme with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) held on Tuesday, 23′ April, 2026.”

“Management deliberated on the partnership and decided that a compulsory drug test for contestants of the Students Union Government (SUG) election shall be a mandatory criterion for eligibility in the upcoming election.”

“In view of this, I am directed to inform you that all contestants in the forthcoming Student Union Government election are required to undergo a drug integrity test and obtain a certificate of clearance from the Health Services Department before proceeding with the elections.”

“Kindly note that failure to adhere to the above directive from University Management will lead to the disqualification of the candidate.”

Reacting to the development, a former Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Leyii Kwanee described the policy as “welcome development”, saying it would help reduce the menace of drug use and abuse among young people.

He, however, advised the management of the University as well as other tertiary education institutions to go beyond conducting elections, and extend it to matriculating students, advising that the test should be conducting at the point where the students are doing their clearance as part of the admission process.