ABUJA, Nigeria (Chatnewstv.com) — The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has unveiled a new digital platform designed to simplify the process of obtaining drug integrity tests and visa clearance certificates, part of efforts to modernize operations and strengthen the fight against substance abuse and drug trafficking in Nigeria.
The system — known as the Drug Integrity Test and Visa E-Administration System (DITViCAS) — was launched Tuesday in Abuja by NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Ret.), who described it as “a paradigm shift in our fight against the scourge of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking — a moment where enforcement meets efficiency, and commitment merges with cutting-edge technology.”
Marwa, represented by the Agency’s Secretary, Shadrach Haruna, said the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda, emphasizing the NDLEA’s “aggressive, balanced, and uncompromising approach” to tackling illicit drug issues on two critical fronts — supply reduction and demand reduction.
“For years, the process of obtaining an NDLEA Visa Clearance Certificate… has been characterized by documentation, physical appearances, and lengthy verification cycles,” Marwa said. “This manual process was no doubt prone to human interference, delays, and a host of other issues.
“With the flag-off of the Online Visa Clearance Portal today, we are bringing an end to those bottlenecks,” he added. “The system delivers automation across all processes associated with the Drug Integrity Test and Visa Clearance, with interfaces for effective collaboration with partner agencies.”
According to him, the new portal — www.drugandvisa.ndlea.gov.ng
— allows applicants to create accounts, schedule appointments at preferred centres, and receive test certificates digitally. Visa clearance can now be completed within three to seven days, depending on circumstances.
Marwa said the system also permits accredited private medical centres to partner with NDLEA in conducting drug integrity tests, while new e-certification and verification features will “eliminate falsifications and enhance transparency” across NDLEA’s commands and formations nationwide.
He added that the platform will also be extended to students of tertiary institutions and other groups to promote drug demand reduction, emphasizing that those who test positive would be directed to NDLEA’s rehabilitation and counselling centres “to ensure that no one is left without care.”
Describing the initiative as part of a broader digital transformation agenda, Marwa said, “This new digital portal allows institutions, organizations, and individuals — including parents and prospective couples — to apply for drug integrity tests seamlessly. It provides a verified, standardized, and secure process for testing and issuing certificates.”
He continued, “It is a non-judgmental pathway designed to support our national drive for demand reduction, fostering healthier communities, safer workplaces, and a more secure national labour force. This is the future of our War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign — proactive, compassionate, and data-driven.”
Marwa reaffirmed that the Agency’s mission remains to save lives through prevention rather than punishment. “This initiative is proof that the NDLEA is committed to leveraging technology to combat the evolving complexities of drug trafficking and abuse,” he said. “With technology as our ally, we are better equipped, stronger, and more resolved than ever before.”
He urged stakeholders to embrace the system fully, stressing that “its success is a shared responsibility.”
