In a decisive move to protect the integrity of the national workforce, the Federal Government has officially approved the introduction of mandatory pre-employment drug testing for all prospective applicants entering the Public Service.
The new policy was announced on Monday in a statement by Segun Imohiosen, the Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF). The directive, issued via a service-wide circular, instructs all Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Extra-Ministerial Departments and Parastatals to integrate drug screening as a fundamental pillar of their hiring processes.
According to the official statement: “The Federal Government has approved the introduction of mandatory pre-employment drug testing as a requirement for prospective applicants into the Public Service, as part of ongoing efforts to curb the rising menace of illicit drug use and its attendant consequences on national development and security. Consequently, Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Extra-Ministerial Departments/Parastatals are hereby directed to include mandatory drug testing as a core requirement in the recruitment of new personnel.”
The OSGF emphasized that this policy is a response to the “alarming” increase in substance abuse across the country. By implementing these checks, the administration aims to foster a more productive and secure environment for government operations.
“The directive… is in line with the determination of the present administration to decisively tackle the menace of drug and substance abuse and insulate the national workforce from unwholesome practices,” Imohiosen explained.
He further noted that the policy was informed by deep-seated concerns regarding the impact of narcotics on the younger generation and the broader economy, stating: “The directive on the introduction of mandatory pre-employment drug testing for prospective applicants is premised on the concern raised by the Federal Government over the alarming rate of drug and substance abuse, especially among the teeming youth in the country, with far-reaching implications for public health, socio-economic development, workplace productivity, and national security.”
To ensure the credibility of the results, all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) have been directed to collaborate closely with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), adhering to established international standards for screening.
This latest mandate follows a series of similar interventions throughout 2025, including a July directive for university-wide drug screenings and a November requirement by the Nigeria Customs Service for both new recruits and serving officers. With this newest expansion, the government signals that a drug-free status is now a non-negotiable prerequisite for serving the Nigerian public.
