Dare Babalola
The Federal Government has taken a tough stance on drug use in the public service, introducing mandatory pre-employment drug testing for all applicants seeking government jobs.
The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation says the move aims to tackle growing drug abuse and its effects on security and productivity, according to a statement by OSGF’s Director of Information, Segun Imohiosen, on Monday.
The statement directed permanent secretaries and heads of ministries, departments, agencies, MDAs, as well as extra-ministerial departments and parastatals, to incorporate drug screening into their recruitment processes.
According to the statement, MDAs are required to partner with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, to conduct the tests, ensuring compliance with established standards.
The policy stems from concerns over the alarming rate of substance abuse, particularly among Nigeria’s youth, which the government says threatens public health, socio-economic development, workplace efficiency, and national security.
The statement added that the directive underscored the administration’s commitment to protecting the workforce from drug-related issues.
The statement partly read, “The Federal Government has approved the introduction of mandatory pre-employment drug testing as a requirement for prospective applicants into the Public Service, as part of ongoing efforts to curb the rising menace of illicit drug use and its attendant consequences on national development and security.
“Consequently, Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Extra-Ministerial Departments/Parastatals are hereby directed to include mandatory drug testing as a core requirement in the recruitment of new personnel.”
“This move aligns with ongoing anti-drug initiatives, including recent policies for mandatory testing in universities and other sectors,” the statement added.
Imohiosen added that Ministries, Departments, and Agencies have also been directed to collaborate with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in conducting the tests in line with established standards and procedures.
