Zainab Ali
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has announced a new policy mandating compulsory drug testing for all recruits and serving officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
Adeniyi, who disclosed this at the closing session of the CGC’s 2025 Conference in Abuja, said the measure is part of the ongoing recruitment exercise and is aimed at preventing individuals unfit for service or dependent on substances from entering or remaining within the organisation.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Customs spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, the Service has “concluded arrangements to subject all incoming officers and men to a mandatory drug test as part of the ongoing recruitment exercise.”
The directive extends beyond new intakes to all serving officers across Zones, Commands, and the Headquarters, as the NCS moves toward becoming what Adeniyi described as “a fully drug-free institution.”
He explained that recent incidents in some Commands, where erratic behaviour and questionable decisions were traced to substance abuse, influenced the decision.
“There will be no compromise. We are going to ensure that every new officer is tested so that we do not begin to spend Service resources rehabilitating personnel,” Adeniyi said.
He stressed that officers in sensitive enforcement roles must maintain sound judgment at all times and urged personnel to undergo regular medical checks, noting that both mental and physical fitness are essential for effective service delivery.
The directive comes amid heightened scrutiny of security agencies over personnel conduct. The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Buba Marwa, has consistently warned that Nigeria’s fight against drug abuse and trafficking cannot succeed if security institutions harbour individuals battling substance dependence.
The Customs leadership views the new policy as part of broader reforms to enhance discipline, minimise operational risks, and strengthen public confidence in the Service.