Prospective civil servants in Nigeria will now be required to undergo drug screening before recruitment, following a new Federal Government directive. The policy affects all candidates seeking employment in ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) across the country.
The announcement was made on Monday by the Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Segun Imohiosen. According to the statement, the measure is part of the government’s efforts to curb the rising abuse of illicit drugs and safeguard national development and security.
“The Federal Government has approved the introduction of mandatory pre-employment drug testing as a requirement for prospective applicants into the Public Service”, the statement read.
All MDAs are to collaborate with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to conduct the tests in accordance with approved standards and procedures. Imohiosen noted that the directive, issued through a service-wide circular, reflects the administration’s commitment to tackling substance abuse nationwide.
He also highlighted concerns over the increasing prevalence of drug abuse, particularly among youths, and its negative impact on public health, productivity, and national security.
The move follows similar anti-drug initiatives introduced earlier in 2025.
In November, the Nigeria Customs Service mandated drug tests for all new recruits and serving officers, while a July directive required drug screening across universities nationwide.
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