The Federal Government has introduced mandatory pre-employment drug testing for all applicants seeking jobs in the federal public service, as part of measures to curb rising drug abuse and its impact on national security and productivity.
The directive is contained in a service-wide circular issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), which was circulated to Permanent Secretaries and heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as extra-ministerial departments and parastatals.
According to the circular, MDAs are required to integrate drug screening into their recruitment processes and to collaborate with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in conducting the tests, in line with approved standards and procedures.
The government said the policy was prompted by concerns over the “alarming rate” of substance abuse in the country, particularly among young people, noting that the trend poses serious threats to public health, socio-economic development, workplace efficiency and national security.
A statement signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the OSGF, Segun Imohiosen, stressed that the policy reflects the administration’s commitment to safeguarding the integrity and effectiveness of the public service.
The new requirement aligns with ongoing anti-drug initiatives of the Federal Government, including recent policies mandating drug tests in universities and other critical sectors of the economy.
