The federal government has introduced mandatory drug testing as a new prerequisite for employment into the public service.
Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, made the announcement in a statement issued on Monday.
According to Imohiosen, the new requirement forms part of sustained efforts by the Federal Government of Nigeria to curb the growing menace of illicit drug use and its adverse effects on national development and security.
He added that the directive was based on concerns raised by the Federal Government over the alarming rate of drug and substance abuse, particularly among the youth.
According to him, the “disturbing trend” poses serious risks to public health, socio-economic development, workplace productivity, and national security.
“To ensure effective implementation, ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) have been directed to collaborate with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in conducting the tests, in accordance with established standards and procedures.”
The introduction of mandatory drug testing for public service employment comes just weeks after Adewale Adeniyi, Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, announced a similar policy requiring compulsory drug tests for all recruits and serving officers of the agency.
Adeniyi explained that the measure was aimed at ensuring that no recruit enters the service with substance-abuse tendencies that could impair judgment, undermine security responsibilities, or compromise operational integrity.