The Federal Government has approved compulsory drug screening for all prospective employees seeking appointment into the federal public service, in a move aimed at addressing the growing challenge of substance abuse and its impact on governance and national development.
The directive was communicated to permanent secretaries, heads of extra-ministerial departments, and chief executives of government agencies through a circular issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).
The announcement was made public on Monday in a statement signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the OSGF, Segun Imohiosen.
According to the statement, the new policy is part of broader efforts to curb the rising use of illicit drugs, which the government says poses serious risks to workplace efficiency, public safety, and internal security.
Authorities expressed concern that substance abuse within the workforce could weaken institutional performance and undermine national productivity.
The government noted that it is particularly troubled by the increasing prevalence of drug and substance abuse among young Nigerians, describing the trend as alarming and potentially damaging to public health, socio-economic advancement, and service delivery within the public sector.
To ensure effective implementation, all ministries, departments, and agencies have been instructed to collaborate with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The NDLEA would be responsible for conducting the screening exercises in line with established testing standards and approved procedures.
Officials explained that the introduction of mandatory drug testing underscored the administration’s commitment to building a disciplined, accountable, and drug-free public service.
The policy is also intended to complement ongoing national efforts to combat drug abuse and its associated social and security challenges.
The new requirement would apply to all applicants seeking federal government employment, making a clean drug test result a key condition for appointment into the public service.
