George Ozalla
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has announced that all incoming recruits of the Nigeria Customs Service will undergo a mandatory drug test as part of the ongoing recruitment exercise. He made this known on Friday during the closing session of the CGC’s 2025 Conference in Abuja, stating that the Service has concluded all necessary arrangements to commence the process.
Adeniyi said the measure was introduced to ensure that no recruit enters the Service with tendencies capable of compromising judgment, operational integrity or security responsibilities. He added that while the directive is targeting fresh intakes, serving officers and men will also be subjected to the same test as the Service works towards what he described as a fully drug-free institution.
He noted that the test would be conducted across all Zones, Commands and at the Headquarters, emphasising that the Service would no longer tolerate situations where personnel make sensitive decisions while under the influence of drugs. Adeniyi explained that the decision followed reports from some Commands where erratic conduct and questionable decisions were later linked to substance misuse.
He said there would be no compromise on the matter, stressing that the Service would not expend its resources rehabilitating personnel who should have been screened before joining. He warned that overlooking early signs of substance abuse within the ranks belongs to the past, especially for officers involved in revenue collection, enforcement and border security who must uphold sound judgment at all times.
Adeniyi also urged officers to prioritize their personal health and undergo regular medical checks, noting that physical and mental fitness remain key requirements for effective service delivery within the Nigeria Customs Service.
