- AbdulAziz proposes drug tests for lecturers to ensure mental health, integrity, and accountability within the university system
- He emphasizes the need for fairness, suggesting that lecturers should also participate for accountability if students undergo drug tests
Professor Muhammad AbdulAziz, the outgoing Vice Chancellor of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi state, has proposed that lecturers should also undergo drug tests, not just students.
Delivering his valedictory speech to the University Senate on Friday, AbdulAziz emphasized the importance of ensuring students and staff’s mental health status. He highlighted the need for lecturers to volunteer for drug tests to uphold the integrity and sanctity of the university system.
AbdulAziz stated, “If students are required to undergo drug tests, it is only fair that lecturers also participate in these tests to maintain accountability and check any potential excesses within the university.”
He emphasized that this measure would contribute to sanitizing the university system and fostering academic excellence. Abdulaziz revealed discussions with the Federal Ministry of Education to introduce mandatory drug tests for students before university registration.
Acknowledging the achievements made during his tenure, Abdul Aziz attributed the progress to the collective effort of all stakeholders. He thanked the federal government and various educational agencies for supporting infrastructure development, academic content enhancement, and community engagement.
In his response, the Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Sani Kunya, expressed gratitude for the honour bestowed upon him by the University Senate and the confirmation by the Federal Government. He pledged to uphold academic excellence and build upon the legacies of his predecessors.