The Federal Government has approved mandatory drug testing as a new condition for employment into the public service, marking a tougher stance on substance abuse within government institutions.

The directive was communicated to permanent secretaries and heads of extra ministerial departments and parastatals in a statement issued on Monday by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

According to the statement signed by Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information and Public Relations at the OSGF, the policy forms part of broader efforts to address the growing challenge of illicit drug use and its impact on national development and security.

Government cites rising drug abuse concerns

Imohiosen said the decision was driven by concerns over the increasing rate of drug and substance abuse across the country, particularly among young people.

He described the trend as disturbing, warning that it poses serious risks to public health, economic growth, workplace efficiency and national security.

According to the OSGF, the government believes that introducing drug screening at the point of entry into public service will help promote discipline, professionalism and safer working environments across ministries, departments and agencies.

MDAs to work with NDLEA

Under the new policy, MDAs have been directed to collaborate with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in carrying out the tests. The screening process, the statement noted, must follow established standards and procedures to ensure credibility and fairness.

Officials say the involvement of the NDLEA is intended to guarantee technical expertise and uniformity in how the tests are conducted nationwide.

Customs Service policy offers recent precedent

The development comes weeks after the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, introduced a similar compulsory drug testing policy for both new recruits and serving officers of the agency.

Adeniyi explained at the time that the measure was designed to prevent individuals with substance abuse issues from joining the service, where impaired judgement could undermine security duties and operational integrity.

He also disclosed that existing officers would be included as part of the agency’s plan to build what he described as a fully drug free institution.

Global context and expert views

Mandatory drug testing for public service employment is not universally practiced worldwide. However, according to reports from labour and public safety regulators, countries such as the United States and parts of Europe often require pre employment drug tests for safety sensitive roles, including transportation, law enforcement and other public safety positions.

Public policy analysts note that while such measures can strengthen institutional discipline, their success depends on transparency, respect for workers’ rights and consistent enforcement.

For now, the Federal Government says the new requirement reflects its determination to safeguard the integrity of the public service and address drug abuse as a national concern.