The Federal Government has approved the introduction of mandatory pre-employment drug testing for all prospective applicants into the Nigerian Public Service, as part of intensified efforts to curb the growing menace of illicit drug use and its negative impact on national development and security.
The directive, conveyed through a service-wide circular issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), applies to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), including extra-ministerial departments and parastatals.
Confirming the development, the Director of Information and Public Relations at the OSGF, Mr. Segun Imohiosen, said the new policy makes drug testing a core requirement in the recruitment of new personnel across the public service.
“The Federal Government has approved the introduction of mandatory pre-employment drug testing as a requirement for prospective applicants into the Public Service,” Imohiosen stated, noting that the measure is aimed at addressing the rising abuse of illicit drugs and its attendant consequences.
According to him, Permanent Secretaries and Heads of extra-ministerial departments and parastatals have been directed to ensure full compliance with the policy during recruitment exercises.
He added that MDAs are also required to collaborate with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in conducting the tests, in line with established standards and procedures.
“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 said.
The Federal Government, he explained, is particularly concerned about the alarming rate of drug and substance abuse in the country, especially among young people, describing the trend as disturbing and potentially dangerous.
“The rising abuse of drugs and substances has far-reaching implications for public health, socio-economic development, workplace productivity and national security,” he noted.
Imohiosen stressed that the new requirement is intended to promote a healthier, more productive and security-conscious public service, while discouraging drug abuse among job seekers.
