NDLEA launches drug test and visa clearance portal to digitise processes, reduce delays, and promote transparency in drug control and international travel

NDLEA launches drug test and visa clearance portal in a bold step to modernise Nigeria’s drug control framework and enhance transparency in official processes.

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The platform, officially titled the Drug Integrity Test and Visa E-Administration System, was unveiled on Tuesday in Abuja by the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (retd), who described it as “a paradigm shift” in the national fight against substance abuse and trafficking.

Speaking through the Agency’s Secretary, Shadrach Haruna, Marwa noted that the new digital portal ends the long-standing manual bottlenecks associated with obtaining drug integrity certificates and visa clearance — including lengthy verification, physical appearances, and vulnerability to interference.

“With the flag-off of the Online Visa Clearance Portal, we are eliminating the red tape and replacing it with automation, integration, and efficiency,” Marwa said.

Applicants can now register online, book appointments, and complete their applications from any location via the [NDLEA website](https://ndlea.gov.ng), without needing to visit physical offices.

Certificates for drug tests will be issued on the spot, while visa clearance certificates will be processed within three working days — or a week in exceptional circumstances.

Marwa added that the portal features E-Certification and Verification tools to guard against forgery and safeguard Nigeria’s reputation abroad.

Integrated background checks, real-time dashboards, and links with partner agencies are also part of the system’s architecture.

“This innovation supports President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” Marwa noted, adding that the platform is not punitive, but “a non-judgmental pathway to prevention and rehabilitation.”

The NDLEA boss also announced that private medical facilities may partner as accredited drug testing centres — opening the service to individuals, schools, employers, and even prospective couples seeking clarity ahead of marriage.

“The success of this system is a shared responsibility. We call on all stakeholders to embrace it,” he urged.

This move forms part of the agency’s broader drive to digitise operations in line with global best practices.

It mirrors reforms aimed at curbing corruption, expediting services, and enhancing the country’s security infrastructure through transparency.

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The NDLEA Visa Clearance Certificate remains a mandatory document for Nigerians travelling to countries flagged as major drug source or transit zones.