The Federal Government has introduced mandatory pre-employment drug testing for all applicants seeking positions in the public service, as part of efforts to curb the rising incidence of substance abuse and its impact on national security and workplace productivity.
The directive was issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) in a statement released on Monday and signed by its Director of Information, Segun Imohiosen.
According to the statement, permanent secretaries and heads of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), as well as extra-ministerial departments and parastatals, have been directed to incorporate drug screening as a core requirement in their recruitment processes.
The government said MDAs are required to collaborate with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to conduct the tests, in line with established standards and procedures.
“The Federal Government has approved the introduction of mandatory pre-employment drug testing as a requirement for prospective applicants into the Public Service,” the statement said. “This forms part of ongoing efforts to curb the rising menace of illicit drug use and its attendant consequences on national development and security.”
The policy, the statement noted, is driven by growing concerns over the alarming rate of substance abuse, particularly among young Nigerians, which poses serious threats to public health, socio-economic development, workplace efficiency and national security.
It added that the directive underscores the administration’s commitment to safeguarding the integrity and productivity of the public service by preventing drug-related challenges within the workforce.
The OSGF also stated that the initiative aligns with broader anti-drug measures being implemented by the Federal Government, including recent policies mandating drug testing in universities and other sectors of the economy.
Imohiosen reiterated that all MDAs have been instructed to work closely with the NDLEA to ensure full compliance with the directive and uniform application of the policy nationwide.
