The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, on Tuesday announced a new policy that introduces compulsory drug testing for all recruits and serving officers of the Nigeria Customs Service. He explained that the measure, which is now part of the ongoing recruitment process, is meant to ensure that individuals who are unfit or dependent on substances do not enter or remain in the Service.
Adeniyi said the agency can no longer risk situations where personnel with compromised judgment are responsible for border security, enforcement duties, and revenue collection. He made the remarks during the closing session of the CGC’s 2025 Conference in Abuja, according to a statement released by Customs spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada.
The statement read, “The Nigeria Customs Service has concluded arrangements to subject all incoming officers and men to a mandatory drug test as part of the ongoing recruitment exercise. A mandatory drug test would be carried out for all officers and men across all Zones, Commands and at the Headquarters. The Service would no longer tolerate a situation where personnel make sensitive decisions while under the influence of drugs.”
According to Adeniyi, the new policy will begin with fresh intakes but will also extend to all serving officers across Zones, Commands, and the Headquarters. He stated that the goal is to build what he described as “a fully drug-free institution.”
He added that the decision was influenced by previous experiences in some commands where cases of erratic behaviour and questionable decisions were later traced to substance abuse. He said, “There will be no compromise. We are going to ensure that every new officer is tested so that we do not begin to spend Service resources rehabilitating personnel.”
The Customs chief stressed that the Service will no longer tolerate lapses linked to drug use, especially from officers responsible for sensitive enforcement operations. He also encouraged personnel to take regular medical checks seriously, noting that both mental and physical fitness are important for effective service delivery.
The directive comes at a time when security agencies across the country are facing increased scrutiny over the conduct of their personnel. In recent years, other agencies such as the police, immigration, and correctional services have introduced random drug tests and psychological assessments following several incidents of misconduct linked to substance abuse.
The Customs’ new drug-testing policy also follows calls by the Chairman of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), who earlier urged all security, law enforcement, and uniformed agencies to adopt mandatory drug tests for their staff. Marwa has repeatedly stated that Nigeria’s fight against drug abuse and trafficking cannot succeed if security agencies retain individuals struggling with substance dependency.
The renewed push by the Customs CG is viewed as part of broader reforms aimed at tightening discipline, reducing risks during operations, and strengthening public trust in the Service’s frontline officers.
