NDLEA Goes Digital with New Portal for Drug Integrity Tests and Visa Clearance Certificates

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has introduced a new digital platform aimed at simplifying and accelerating the process of obtaining drug integrity tests and visa clearance certificates. The initiative is part of the agency’s broader effort to enhance transparency, accessibility, and efficiency in its operations.

The platform, known as the Drug Integrity Test and Visa E-Administration System, was launched on Tuesday in Abuja by NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), who described it as a “paradigm shift in the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.”

Represented by the Agency’s Secretary, Shadrach Haruna, Marwa said the innovation aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and underscores NDLEA’s balanced approach to drug control—addressing both supply and demand reduction.

He noted that the traditional process of obtaining the NDLEA Visa Clearance Certificate had long been bogged down by manual documentation, physical appearances, and lengthy verification cycles, which often led to human interference and unnecessary delays.

“With the launch of the Online Visa Clearance Portal today, we are eliminating those bottlenecks,” Marwa said. “The system automates all processes, integrates partner agencies, and delivers real-time efficiency across NDLEA operations.”

According to him, the new digital platform allows applicants to create accounts, book appointments, and complete their applications directly through the NDLEA website, without physically visiting agency offices. Drug test certificates will now be generated instantly, while visa clearance certificates will be issued within three days—or up to a week in special cases.

The system also features E-Certification and Verification tools to prevent document forgery, strengthen Nigeria’s international credibility, and enable real-time supervision across NDLEA commands nationwide.

Marwa added that private medical centres can now partner with the NDLEA as accredited facilities for drug integrity testing, further expanding access.

He emphasised that the initiative is not punitive but preventive, providing a “non-judgmental pathway” for early intervention and rehabilitation for individuals struggling with substance use. The platform, he said, serves not only visa applicants but also students, corporate bodies, and individuals—including parents and prospective couples—seeking verified drug integrity tests.

“This digital system provides a verified, standardised, and secure process for testing and certification,” Marwa explained. “It supports our national drive for demand reduction, safer workplaces, and healthier communities.”

The NDLEA boss urged all stakeholders—partner agencies, health institutions, and the public—to adopt the new platform, describing its success as a shared responsibility in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking.

The agency’s digital transformation drive reflects a growing commitment to global best practices, aimed at improving service delivery, reducing corruption, and strengthening the integrity of official processes.

The NDLEA Visa Clearance Certificate remains mandatory for Nigerians travelling to certain countries identified as major drug source or transit nations.