Prof. Muhammad AbdulAziz, ex-VC of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, calls for lecturer drug testing to purify the university system.
AbdulAziz made these remarks during his farewell address to the University Senate, as he handed over to Prof. Sani Kunya, the newly appointed acting Vice Chancellor.
He praised the Federal Ministry of Education’s initiative to implement drug tests for prospective students applying to universities and suggested extending these tests to lecturers.
He believes that such measures would enhance the integrity of the university system and foster academic excellence.
“We have discussed with the Federal Ministry of Education and they want to introduce to all universities that before any student would be registered in the universities, he or she must undergo drug tests.
“If students should undergo drug tests, I believe that even some of us, the lecturers, need to undergo the same test so that we know our status.
“We also have to volunteer ourselves to have this test done on us because we have to sanitise the university.
“If the students are to be subjected to drug tests to determine their mental health status, nothing is wrong if the lecturers too are subjected to the same test.
“That is the only way to check excesses in the university system,” he said.
AbdulAziz highlighted the modest achievements accomplished during his tenure, focusing on infrastructural development, academic content enhancement, and community service initiatives.
He attributed these accomplishments to the collective support of all stakeholders within the system.
AbdulAziz expressed gratitude to the federal government, particularly the Federal Ministry of Education and its affiliated agencies such as the National Universities Commission and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, for their assistance to the University.
In response, the newly appointed Acting VC extended appreciation to the University Senate for their acknowledgment and to the Federal Government for his appointment confirmation.
“I want to assure you that, I will justify the confidence reposed in me by not disappointing you all
“I shall do everything within my capability to build on the legacies of my predecessor in terms of maintaining and improving academic excellence,” he assured.