The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, has announced the introduction of a compulsory drug-testing policy for all newly recruited and serving personnel. The policy, described as a major step in strengthening discipline within the Service, is expected to take effect immediately.
Adeniyi revealed the development during the closing session of the 2025 Comptroller-General’s Conference in Abuja. He explained that the mandatory drug screening is now an integral component of the ongoing recruitment exercise and will subsequently be extended to every officer across all commands, zones, and operational units.
According to him, the NCS can no longer afford the risks posed by personnel whose judgment or conduct may be impaired by substance use, especially at a time when the nation faces heightened security threats along its borders.
A Move to Safeguard National Security
The Comptroller-General said the policy was informed by recent internal reviews which uncovered cases of erratic behaviour and poor decision-making linked to substance abuse among a few officers. He stressed that the Service must be populated by personnel with sound mental and physical fitness to effectively carry out the critical tasks of border management, revenue generation, anti-smuggling operations, and national security enforcement.
“We cannot continue to deploy officers who may be under the influence of substances to make sensitive decisions that affect national interests,” he said. “There will be no compromise. Every new recruit will undergo a comprehensive drug test, and we will extend the same procedure to all serving officers.”
Adeniyi emphasised that rehabilitating officers who are unfit for service due to substance dependence places unnecessary financial and administrative burdens on the organisation. He noted that prevention, through early detection, is the most effective approach to sustaining professionalism within the ranks.
Nationwide Screening Across Commands and Headquarters
Under the new directive, drug screening will be conducted regularly and systematically across all zones, area commands, training institutions, and the Service headquarters. The NCS is also working on integrating drug testing into its periodic health assessments and annual medical evaluations.
Senior officers, frontline operatives, and personnel assigned to sensitive roles—including arms-bearing units, intelligence teams, and revenue enforcement squads—will undergo stricter screening protocols.
Adeniyi maintained that the objective is to transform the Nigeria Customs Service into what he termed a “completely drug-free institution,” where discipline, integrity, and sound judgment define the conduct of every officer.
Part of Broader Security Sector Reforms
The new directive aligns with wider reforms across Nigeria’s security sector, where concerns over misconduct, abuse of force, and compromised operations have prompted many agencies to adopt stricter psychological and drug evaluations for personnel.
Adeniyi urged officers to take personal responsibility for their well-being, stating that mental clarity and physical fitness are essential for effective service delivery, especially in an era of increasingly sophisticated smuggling networks and border-related crimes.
He reiterated that the Service is committed to protecting the integrity of its operations and restoring public confidence in the men and women who represent Nigeria at its borders.
Strengthening Public Trust and Organizational Discipline
Analysts see the Customs Service’s new drug-testing regime as an important step toward closing long-standing gaps in law enforcement accountability. The policy is expected to improve operational efficiency, reduce risks associated with impaired judgment, and strengthen public trust in the agency’s frontline officers.
The NCS leadership believes that a disciplined and drug-free workforce will not only improve internal conduct but also enhance collaboration with international border agencies, increase professionalism, and support Nigeria’s broader fight against drug trafficking and abuse.
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