The Federal Government has announced that all candidates seeking employment in the Nigerian Public Service will now be required to undergo pre-employment drug tests, as part of efforts to tackle illicit drug use and enhance national productivity and security.
The directive, communicated through a circular from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), requires all Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Extra-Ministerial Departments and Parastatals to integrate drug testing as a mandatory step in recruiting new personnel across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
In a statement, Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information and Public Relations in the SGF’s office, said MDAs must work closely with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to carry out the tests following established protocols and standards.
The policy forms part of President Tinubu’s broader initiative to combat drug and substance abuse and to protect the public workforce from behaviours that could undermine efficiency, discipline, and public confidence.
The government expressed concern over the rising levels of substance abuse, especially among Nigeria’s youth, warning that the trend threatens public health, workplace performance, socio-economic progress, and national security.
The circular emphasized that substance abuse within the public sector can compromise service delivery, weaken institutional integrity, and hinder the government’s development objectives.
The SGF’s office stressed that mandatory drug testing is intended as a preventive measure, not a punishment, to ensure a healthy, disciplined, and dependable workforce capable of driving national growth.
The move responds to long-standing calls from stakeholders urging the government to take stronger action against drug abuse among Nigerian youths.
