The Federal Government has approved mandatory pre-employment drug testing for all prospective applicants into the Public Service.
The approval, announced on Monday by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, aims to tackle the rising menace of illicit drug use and its consequences 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 core requirement in the recruitment of new personnel.
“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,” the statement partly read.
It added that Ministries, Departments, and Agencies are to collaborate with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to conduct the tests in line with established standards and procedures.
The initiative follows other anti-drug measures introduced in 2025, including mandatory drug testing for Nigeria Customs Service recruits and a university-wide drug screening policy earlier in the year.
Imohiosen said the directive reflects the government’s determination to insulate the national workforce from unwholesome practices and promote public health, workplace productivity, and national security.
“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,” the statement added.
