The Federal Government has approved the introduction of mandatory pre-employment drug testing as a requirement for prospective applicants into the public service.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, announced the directive in a statement on Monday, describing it as part of ongoing efforts to curb the rising menace of illicit drug use and its consequences for national development and security.
“Consequently, Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Extra-Ministerial Departments/Parastatals are hereby directed to include mandatory drug testing as a core requirement in the recruitment of new personnel,” Akume said.
“In addition, MDAs are to collaborate with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the conduct of the tests, in line with established standards and procedures.”
The directive was contained in a service-wide circular issued from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), including extra-ministerial departments.
Akume explained that the measure aligns with the administration’s determination to decisively tackle drug and substance abuse and insulate the national workforce from unwholesome practices.
“The directive on the introduction of mandatory pre-employment drug testing to prospective applicants is premised on the concern raised by the Federal Government on the alarming rate of drug and substance abuse, particularly among the teeming youth in the country, with a disturbing trend and far-reaching implications for public health, socio-economic development, workplace productivity, and national security,” the statement added.
Customs Service Sets Precedent
The new policy comes just weeks after the Nigeria Customs Service introduced a similar measure.
Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi announced compulsory drug tests for all recruits and serving officers of the agency, stressing that the initiative was aimed at safeguarding operational integrity.
Adeniyi explained that the measure would ensure that no recruit enters the service with substance-abuse tendencies that could impair judgment, undermine security responsibilities, or compromise the agency’s effectiveness.
The Federal Government’s directive could be as a result of growing concern about the impact of drug abuse on Nigeria’s youth population and its potential to erode productivity and stability in the public sector.
By mandating drug testing, the government is probably hoping to strengthen institutional discipline, protect national security, and promote a healthier workforce.
The policy is expected to be implemented across all MDAs in collaboration with the NDLEA, marking a significant step in the administration’s broader campaign against drug abuse.
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