Substance Abuse and Academic Engagement Among Undergraduates at the University of Calabar, Cross River State

Substance abuse on Nigerian university campuses is a growing concern with documented consequences for academic engagement, psychological health, and social functioning among students. At the University of Calabar in South South Nigeria, the prevalence and academic correlates of substance use among undergraduates have not been systematically examined in recent years. This study investigates the relationship between substance abuse and academic engagement among undergraduate students at the University of Calabar. A cross-sectional survey is applied to 290 students selected through stratified random sampling across six faculties. The Drug Abuse Screening Test-10 and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-Student Version are administered alongside a demographics questionnaire capturing residential status, year of study, and faculty affiliation. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and Pearson correlation are computed in SPSS. Literature from South South Nigerian universities identifies alcohol, cannabis, and tramadol as the most prevalent substances, with polydrug use associated with the most severe reductions in academic engagement. Self-Determination Theory and the Social Ecological Model of substance use provide the theoretical framework. Findings are expected to reveal significant negative associations between substance use frequency and academic engagement dimensions including vigour, dedication, and absorption. Outcomes will support university counselling centre interventions and student health education programmes. Keywords: substance abuse, academic engagement, undergraduates, University of Calabar, South South Nigeria.