The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the introduction of mandatory pre-employment drug testing for all applicants seeking to join the Public Service, including security and paramilitary agencies such as the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Board (CDCFIB) and the Nigeria Customs Service.
A statement issued on Monday by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, explained that the policy aims to curb the growing problem of illicit drug use and its negative impact on national development and security.
According to the statement, Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Extra-Ministerial Departments and Parastatals have been directed to make drug testing a compulsory requirement during recruitment processes for new employees.
The statement partly read, “The Federal Government has approved the introduction of mandatory pre-employment drug testing as a requirement for prospective applicants into the Public Service, as part of ongoing efforts to curb the rising menace of illicit drug use and its attendant consequences on 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.”
Imohiosen further said that Ministries, Departments, and Agencies have been instructed to collaborate with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to conduct the tests in accordance with established standards and procedures.
He noted that the directive, which was contained in a service-wide circular from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, aligns with the government’s commitment to addressing drug and substance abuse while protecting the integrity of the national workforce.
“The directive on the introduction of mandatory pre-employment drug testing for prospective applicants is premised on the concern raised by the Federal Government over the alarming rate of drug and substance abuse, especially among the teeming youth in the country, with far-reaching implications for public health, socio-economic development, workplace productivity, and national security,” the statement added.
