Tuesday, December 23, 2025 - The Federal Government has introduced mandatory pre-employment drug testing for all applicants seeking positions in the public service.
A statement by the Director of Information and Public
Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation,
OSGF, Segun Imohiosen, said the move is part of broader efforts to combat
rising drug abuse and its impacts on national security and productivity.
The statement directed permanent secretaries and heads of
ministries, departments, agencies, MDAs, as well as extra-ministerial
departments and parastatals, to incorporate drug screening into their
recruitment processes.
According to the statement, MDAs are required to partner
with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, to conduct the tests,
ensuring compliance with established standards.
The policy stems from concerns over the alarming rate of
substance abuse, particularly among Nigeria’s youth, which the government says
threatens public health, socio-economic development, workplace efficiency, and
national security.
The statement added that the directive underscored the
administration’s commitment to protecting the workforce from drug-related
issues.
“This move aligns with ongoing anti-drug initiatives,
including recent policies for mandatory testing in universities and other
sectors,” the statement said.
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