The Federal Government has approved the introduction of mandatory pre-employment drug testing for all applicants seeking employment in the Nigerian public service.
The policy is aimed at addressing the rising incidence of illicit drug use and protecting national productivity, public trust and security.
The directive was conveyed through a service-wide circular issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), mandating permanent secretaries as well as heads of extra-ministerial departments and parastatals to make drug testing a compulsory requirement in the recruitment process across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
A statement by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the OSGF, Segun Imohiosen, said MDAs are required to work closely with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to conduct the tests in accordance with approved standards and procedures.
According to the circular, the policy forms part of the current administration’s broader efforts to combat drug and substance abuse and to ensure that the public service is insulated from practices that undermine efficiency, discipline and institutional integrity.
The Federal Government expressed concern over what it described as the alarming rate of drug abuse, particularly among young people, warning that the trend poses serious risks to public health, workplace productivity, socio-economic development and national security.
It also noted that substance abuse within the public sector could compromise service delivery and weaken government institutions.
The circular emphasised that the compulsory drug testing policy is not intended as a punitive measure, but as a preventive step aimed at promoting a healthy, disciplined and dependable workforce capable of driving national development.
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