The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has unveiled a new electronic platform designed to digitize the processing of drug integrity tests and visa clearance certificates across Nigeria.
The platform, known as the Drug Integrity Test and Visa E-Administration System (DITViCAS), was launched on Tuesday, October 21, in Abuja. It aims to eliminate manual bottlenecks, curb human interference, and improve efficiency in service delivery.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), described the innovation as a paradigm shift in Nigeria’s fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking. He said the agency is now fully embracing digital transformation to enhance transparency and speed in its operations.
“For years, the process of obtaining an NDLEA Visa Clearance Certificate required documentation, physical appearances, and lengthy verification cycles. This manual process was prone to delays and human interference. With the launch of the Online Visa Clearance Portal today, those bottlenecks are now a thing of the past,” the agency said in a statement.
The DITViCAS platform will allow applicants to apply for Drug Integrity Tests or Visa Clearance Certificates online through the official portal, [www.drugandvisa.ndlea.gov.ng]. Users can create accounts, select services, choose NDLEA-accredited testing centres, and schedule convenient dates for their tests. Once the results are uploaded by desk officers, certificates are automatically generated and processed within three days, or up to one week in special cases.
Private medical centres can now collaborate with the NDLEA as accredited drug testing facilities, giving applicants easier access and flexibility. The initiative also supports the agency’s plan to extend drug integrity tests to students of tertiary institutions as part of its demand reduction campaign.
“The extension of this service to students is not to stigmatize anyone,” Marwa said, “but to promote early detection, care, and rehabilitation for those in need. Our rehabilitation and counselling centres remain open to ensure no one is left without help.”
He explained that the system integrates advanced background check protocols to prevent drug syndicates from exploiting travel procedures and to safeguard Nigeria’s international reputation. Beyond travel documentation, institutions, employers, parents, and even prospective couples can now request verified drug test certificates through the platform.
Marwa noted that the drug integrity test is a preventive and corrective tool rather than a punitive measure, aligning with the NDLEA’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign. He added that the new system would foster healthier communities, safer workplaces, and a more secure national workforce through greater accountability and early intervention.
With DITViCAS, the NDLEA hopes to set a new standard for service delivery in Nigeria’s public sector while advancing its broader mission of combating substance abuse and strengthening national security.
