The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is conducting drug tests on some of its staff members, including senior officials, Pointblanknews.com has learnt.
A source close to the development told Pointblanknews.com that the screening was ongoing, with some senior staff members undergoing the exercise.
However, reports that some officials had failed the tests could not be independently verified as of the time of filing this report.
A senior CBN staff member, who confirmed the exercise, said he was not in a position to verify claims about failed tests.
“Yes, there is ongoing drug test in the Bank. But some staff members failing the test, I don’t have that knowledge because I am not a medical staff and also I am not part of the team,” the official said.
The development comes amid the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen drug screening in the public service as part of measures to address substance abuse and its implications for workplace productivity, public health and national security.
In December 2025, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation directed permanent secretaries and heads of extra-ministerial departments and parastatals to make drug screening a requirement for the recruitment of new personnel.
The directive also required Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to work with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to conduct the tests in line with established standards and procedures.
It is, however, unclear whether the ongoing CBN screening is linked to the Federal Government’s recruitment policy or is a separate internal initiative.
Drug screening is used by organisations to promote workplace safety, minimise risks associated with impaired judgment and identify employees who may require appropriate intervention. In sensitive institutions, such measures may also be part of efforts to uphold professional standards and sustain public confidence.
Several government institutions have introduced similar initiatives.
In March 2021, the NDLEA conducted a surprise drug integrity test on its chairman, Buba Marwa, directors and other personnel at its national headquarters in Abuja. The agency said the exercise was intended to demonstrate that its officials were subject to the same standards they enforced.
In July 2025, the Police Service Commission sought the NDLEA’s assistance to conduct drug integrity tests on police recruits. The commission said the screening would help ensure that prospective officers were fit for policing duties, while the NDLEA agreed to support the exercise.
More recently, in October 2026, the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board announced mandatory drug screening for shortlisted candidates in its ongoing recruitment exercise. Candidates were required to undergo the tests at designated NDLEA offices before collecting their appointment letters.
Pointblanknews.com will continue to seek clarification from the CBN on the scope of the ongoing exercise, the number of staff members involved and whether any test results have been confirmed.