The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has unveiled a new digital platform designed to simplify and automate its Drug Integrity Test and Visa Clearance processes, marking a major step forward in the agency’s ongoing efforts to combat substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking across Nigeria.
The platform, known as the Drug Integrity Test and Visa E-Administration System (DITViCAS), was officially launched at a press conference in Abuja by the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd). Represented by the Agency’s Secretary, Shadrach Haruna, Marwa described the initiative as “a paradigm shift where enforcement meets efficiency, and commitment merges with cutting-edge technology.”
He said the new system aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, emphasizing that the agency continues to pursue an aggressive and balanced approach to addressing the drug menace through both Drug Supply Reduction and Drug Demand Reduction strategies.
NCS Port Harcourt Rallies NDLEA, Police for Safer Ports, Borders
Highlighting the significance of the innovation, Marwa explained that for years, the process of obtaining an NDLEA Visa Clearance Certificate was fraught with paperwork, in-person appearances, and delays—issues that often created loopholes for interference and inefficiency.
“With the flag-off of the Online Visa Clearance Portal today, we are bringing an end to those bottlenecks. The system delivers automation across all processes associated with the administration of the Drug Integrity Test and Visa Clearance,”
he stated.
According to him, the new system includes interfaces that enhance collaboration with partner agencies, provides E-Certification and Verification, and eliminates the possibility of certificate falsification by introducing supervisory dashboards across all NDLEA commands and formations.
He further revealed that private medical centres will be able to register as accredited testing facilities, expanding access to the Drug Integrity Test nationwide.
NDLEA Arrests Suspect, Recovers 150 Blocks of Cannabis in Kano
“Applicants can now apply from home, select a convenient testing location and date, and receive their certificate digitally. The entire visa clearance process can now be completed within three days—or a week at most in exceptional cases,”
Marwa added.
The NDLEA boss stressed that the agency’s primary mission remains saving lives, not punishment. He described the Drug Integrity Test as a preventive tool aimed at identifying and assisting individuals at risk of drug dependence.
“This initiative is not about stigmatization—it is a preventive, early-warning system designed to support intervention and rehabilitation before addiction takes root,”
he explained.
The system, he noted, extends beyond visa applicants to include students of tertiary institutions, employees, prospective couples, and parents, offering a non-judgmental, standardized, and secure testing process.
Marwa emphasized that digitization remains central to NDLEA’s broader operational strategy.
“This initiative proves our commitment to leveraging technology to combat the evolving complexities of drug trafficking and abuse. The war against drug abuse is one we must winfor our youth, our families, and our nation’s future. With technology as our ally, we are better equipped, stronger, and more resolved than ever before,”
he asserted.
He urged stakeholders—including educational institutions, private medical facilities, and citizens—to embrace and utilize the new platform, stressing that its success depends on collective participation and responsibility.
The platform is now live and accessible via drugandvisa.ndlea.gov.ng