The Nigerian Government has mandated pre-employment drug testing for all prospective applicants to the Public Service, aiming to curb the rising threat of illicit drug use and its impact on national development and security.
In a statement from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Extra-Ministerial Departments and Parastatals have been instructed to incorporate drug testing as a core requirement for recruitment. Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) are also expected to collaborate with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to ensure tests are conducted in line with established standards and procedures.
The directive underscores the administration’s determination to address drug and substance abuse decisively and to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s workforce from unwholesome practices.
According to the government, the move responds to growing concerns about the alarming rate of drug abuse, particularly among the youth, and its far-reaching effects on public health, workplace productivity, socio-economic development, and national security.
By integrating mandatory drug screening into recruitment processes, the Federal Government seeks to foster a disciplined, healthy, and productive civil service capable of contributing effectively to national growth.
