The Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced a new policy mandating drug tests for individuals seeking employment within Nigeria’s public service.

According to reports, the directive forms part of broader efforts to curb the growing problem of substance abuse and its negative effects on national productivity, public safety, and security.

The policy was conveyed through a service-wide circular issued on Monday by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF). The circular instructs Permanent Secretaries, heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as extra-ministerial bodies and parastatals, to include compulsory drug screening as a requirement during recruitment exercises.

To ensure proper implementation, all MDAs are required to collaborate with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), which will oversee and conduct the tests in line with approved procedures and standards.

The government cited the increasing rate of drug abuse—especially among young people—as a major concern, warning that it poses serious risks to public health, economic growth, workplace efficiency, and national security.

The circular, signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the OSGF, Segun Imohiosen, reaffirmed the administration’s determination to maintain a disciplined and drug-free public workforce.

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The new recruitment requirement is consistent with the government’s wider anti-drug campaign, which has recently seen similar testing policies introduced in tertiary institutions and other sectors of society.