FG cracks down on drug abuse, mandates tests for public service jobs

Abdullateef Fowewe

The Federal Government has mandated pre-employment drug testing for every applicant eyeing a job in the public service in a bold move to tackle Nigeria’s escalating drug crisis.

The policy, announced via a service-wide circular from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), requires Permanent Secretaries and heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) – including extra-ministerial departments and parastatals – to weave drug screening into their hiring processes.

MDAs must team up with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to carry out the tests, adhering to strict standards.

This directive addresses the “alarming rate” of substance abuse, especially among the youth, which officials warn is jeopardizing public health, socio-economic progress, workplace productivity, and even national security.

Signed by Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information and Public Relations at the OSGF, the circular emphasises the administration’s resolve: “This measure underscores our commitment to safeguarding the workforce from drug-related issues and fostering a drug-free public service.”

The initiative builds on recent anti-drug campaigns, such as mandatory testing in universities and other key sectors, signaling a comprehensive national push against narcotics.