FG Orders Mandatory Drug Tests for Public Service Recruitment

The Federal Government has announced a new policy requiring all individuals seeking employment in Nigeria’s public service to undergo compulsory drug testing before recruitment.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. Imohiosen explained that the directive forms part of the government’s wider strategy to tackle the growing challenge of drug abuse and its effects on productivity and national security.

As contained in the statement, all permanent secretaries and heads of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), including extra-ministerial departments and parastatals, have been instructed to immediately integrate drug screening into their hiring procedures.

The government also directed MDAs to collaborate with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to conduct the tests, ensuring that screening processes meet professional and regulatory standards.

According to the statement, the policy is driven by increasing anxiety over the escalating rate of substance abuse in the country, especially among young Nigerians an issue the government warns is undermining public health, socio-economic stability, workplace performance, and national security.

The OSGF noted that the directive highlights the administration’s determination to safeguard the federal workforce from drug-related risks and enhance institutional efficiency.

“This move aligns with ongoing anti-drug initiatives, including recent policies for mandatory testing in universities and other sectors,” the statement said.