The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved mandatory drug screening as a condition for employment into the federal public service, in a move aimed at addressing the growing challenge of substance abuse nationwide.
The directive, issued to permanent secretaries and heads of extra-ministerial departments and parastatals, was announced in a statement released on Monday by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).
According to the statement, signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the OSGF, Segun Imohiosen, the policy is designed to curb the rising prevalence of illicit drug use and its negative consequences on national development, workplace productivity, and internal security.
The government expressed particular concern over the increasing rate of drug and substance abuse among young Nigerians, describing the trend as “disturbing” and warning that it poses a serious threat to public health, socio-economic growth, and efficiency within the public sector.
To ensure effective implementation, ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) have been instructed to collaborate with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in conducting the tests, in line with established standards and procedures.
The statement noted that the new requirement reflects the federal government’s commitment to building a disciplined, drug-free public service while reinforcing broader national efforts to combat substance abuse.
