By Ajibola Adedoye
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has unveiled a new policy requiring all newly recruited personnel—and eventually serving officers—to undergo mandatory drug testing as part of efforts to reinforce discipline and safeguard the integrity of its operations.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, announced the initiative on Friday, 21 November 2025, during the closing session of the 2025 CGC Conference in Abuja. He explained that the policy is a proactive measure to ensure that no individual with tendencies toward substance abuse is absorbed into the Service.
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Adeniyi emphasized that while the directive targets incoming recruits under the current recruitment exercise, the testing regime will be extended to all existing officers as the Service strives to build what he called “a wholly drug-free workforce.”
He noted that the exercise would be implemented across all Zones, Commands, and the Headquarters, stressing that the Service cannot afford to have personnel—particularly those involved in enforcement, revenue collection, and border security—making sensitive decisions under the influence of drugs.
The CGC revealed that the directive was informed by past experiences in which questionable conduct and poor judgment among some officers were later traced to substance misuse.
“There will be no compromise,” he said. “We want to ensure that we are not recruiting people who will require rehabilitation at the expense of the Service.”
Adeniyi further cautioned that signs of drug use within the ranks would no longer be overlooked and urged personnel to take responsibility for their well-being. He reiterated that mental and physical fitness remain essential to fulfilling the Service’s mandate efficiently and professionally.
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