Drug test mandatory for Nigeria customs recruits, serving officers – CGC

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) is set to implement a mandatory drug test for all incoming recruits and serving officers, as announced by Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi.

CGC Adeniyi, who disclosed this during on Friday, 21 November 2025, at the closing session of the CGC’s 2025 Conference in Abuja, said the measure was designed to ensure that no recruit enters the Service with substance-abuse tendencies that could compromise judgment, security responsibilities, or operational integrity.

The CGC stated that the new policy targets new recruits, while also including serving officers, as part of efforts to create a drug-free institution.

He said a mandatory drug test would be carried out for all officers and men across all Zones, Commands and at the Headquarters, noting that the Service would no longer tolerate a situation where personnel make sensitive decisions while under the influence of drugs.

CGC Adeniyi explained that the decision was informed by experiences where erratic behaviour or poor decision-making in some Commands was later linked to substance misuse.

He said, “There will be no compromise. We are going to ensure that every new officer is tested so that we do not begin to spend Service resources rehabilitating personnel.”

He emphasized that overlooking substance abuse signs would no longer be tolerated, especially for officers handling sensitive roles like revenue collection and border security, where sound judgment is crucial.

Officers were also urged to prioritize health and regular medical checks for effective service delivery.