The Federal Government has introduced compulsory pre-employment drug testing for all applicants seeking jobs in the public service.
In a statement issued by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Segun Imohiosen, the government said the policy is part of broader efforts to curb the rising rate of drug abuse and its impact on national security and productivity.
The statement directed permanent secretaries and heads of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), as well as extra-ministerial departments and parastatals, to include drug screening as part of their recruitment processes.
According to the directive, MDAs are to collaborate with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in conducting the tests, in line with approved standards.
The government said the policy was informed by growing concerns over substance abuse, particularly among young Nigerians.
It warned that the trend poses a threat to public health, socio-economic development, workplace efficiency and national security.
It added that the directive underscores the administration’s commitment to safeguarding the public service from drug-related challenges and aligns with existing anti-drug initiatives, including recent policies mandating drug testing in universities and other sectors.