The Federal Government has announced that all applicants seeking employment in the federal public service will now be required to undergo mandatory drug testing.
The directive comes via a service-wide circular from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), addressed to Permanent Secretaries and heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
The circular, signed by Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information and Public Relations at the OSGF, emphasizes the administration’s commitment to maintaining a drug-free and productive public workforce.
According to the policy, MDAs must collaborate with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to carry out pre-employment drug screenings in accordance with approved standards.
The government explained that the decision was prompted by the rising incidence of substance abuse among young Nigerians, which it described as a threat to public health, productivity, and national security.
The initiative is part of a broader effort that includes compulsory drug testing in universities and other sectors.
Officials stressed that the measure aims to ensure integrity, accountability, and efficiency in the public service while deterring drug abuse in the workforce.
