FG Orders Mandatory Drug Tests For All Civil Service Job Applicants

According to Ireporter Online, the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved compulsory pre-employment drug testing for all individuals seeking appointment into Nigeria’s civil service.

The directive forms part of broader efforts by the administration to curb the growing menace of drug abuse and its perceived threat to national security, workplace productivity and public health. The policy was communicated through a service-wide circular issued on Monday by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

The circular mandates Permanent Secretaries and heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, as well as extra-ministerial offices and parastatals, to integrate drug screening into their recruitment procedures. It further instructs all affected institutions to collaborate with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to conduct the tests in line with approved standards.

Government officials noted that the decision was prompted by concerns over the rising incidence of substance abuse, particularly among young Nigerians, warning that the trend poses serious risks to socio-economic development, workplace efficiency and national stability.

The circular, signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the OSGF, Segun Imohiosen, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to safeguarding the integrity of the public service and ensuring a drug-free workforce.

The policy is said to be consistent with ongoing nationwide anti-drug measures, including recently introduced mandatory drug testing requirements across educational institutions and other critical sectors of the economy.