All incoming recruits and serving personnel of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS will now undergo mandatory drug testing as part of the Service’s effort to build what he described as a “fully drug-free institution.”
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, announced this during the closing session of the CGC’s 2025 Conference in Abuja.
He said the measure has already been built into the ongoing recruitment process to prevent individuals with substance-abuse tendencies from entering the Service.
According to him, the new directive prioritises recruits, but serving officers across all Zones, Commands and Headquarters will also be subjected to compulsory screening.
“We will not compromise,” Adeniyi said. “Every new officer will be tested so that we do not begin to spend Service resources rehabilitating personnel.”
Adeniyi noted that the decision followed incidents in some Commands where erratic behaviour and questionable judgment were traced to substance misuse. The CGC stressed that officers responsible for revenue collection, enforcement operations and border security must maintain clarity of mind at all times.
Adeniyi further warned that the era of overlooking early signs of drug abuse within the ranks was over, insisting that the Service must protect the integrity of its operations.
He also urged officers to prioritise their personal wellbeing through regular medical checks, adding that both physical and mental fitness remain essential to effective service delivery.