The Federal Government has approved the introduction of mandatory pre-employment drug testing for all prospective applicants into the Nigerian public service, in a move aimed at curbing illicit drug use and strengthening national productivity and security.
The directive was announced on Monday in a statement issued by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Segun Imohiosen, who said all Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Extra-Ministerial Departments and Parastatals have been instructed to make drug testing a compulsory requirement in public service recruitment.
According to the statement, the decision forms part of the government’s broader effort to address the growing incidence of drug and substance abuse and its far-reaching impact on public institutions and national development.
“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,” Imohiosen said.
He added that ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) have been directed to work closely with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in carrying out the tests, in line with approved standards and procedures.
The directive was issued through a service-wide circular from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), underscoring the administration’s determination to protect the integrity of the public workforce.
“The directive aligns with the government’s resolve to decisively tackle drug and substance abuse and to insulate the national workforce from unwholesome practices,” the statement noted.
Government officials said the policy was necessitated by rising concerns over the increasing rate of drug abuse, particularly among young Nigerians, many of whom form a significant portion of the public service applicant pool.
The statement described the trend as a major threat to public health, workplace efficiency, socio-economic development and national security, warning that unchecked substance abuse could undermine institutional performance and public trust.
“The introduction of mandatory pre-employment drug testing is premised on the Federal Government’s concern over the alarming rate of drug and substance abuse, especially among the teeming youth in the country, with far-reaching consequences for public health, workplace productivity and national security,” Imohiosen said.
While details on the specific substances to be tested for and the implementation timeline were not immediately disclosed, officials indicated that MDAs are expected to integrate the testing requirement into ongoing and future recruitment exercises.
The initiative adds to a series of measures adopted by the government in recent years to combat drug abuse, including expanded NDLEA operations, public awareness campaigns, and policy reforms targeting substance control.
Analysts say the policy could significantly reshape public service recruitment, raising questions about enforcement, transparency, data protection and rehabilitation pathways for applicants who test positive.
However, government officials maintain that the primary goal is prevention and institutional integrity, rather than punishment.
According to the statement, the policy is also designed to promote professionalism, discipline and productivity within the civil service, while discouraging drug-related practices that could compromise public safety and governance.
The Federal Government reiterated its commitment to strengthening institutional standards across public service structures and ensuring that the workforce remains fit, capable and aligned with national development goals.
Further guidelines on implementation are expected to be issued to MDAs in the coming weeks.