Federal Govt Orders Mandatory Drug Tests for Public Service Applicants

The Federal Government has approved mandatory pre-employment drug testing for prospective public service applicants, aiming to curb illicit drug use and its impact on national development and security. The directive, issued through a service-wide circular, instructs Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Extra-Ministerial Departments and Parastatals to include drug testing in new personnel recruitment.

According to Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information and Public Relations, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the policy addresses concerns over rising drug abuse, particularly among youths, affecting public health, socio-economic development, and national security.

Ministries, Departments, and Agencies will collaborate with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to conduct tests following established standards. This initiative follows other 2025 anti-drug measures, including the Nigeria Customs Service’s drug testing mandate for recruits and serving officers, and a July directive for university-wide drug screening.