By Dr. Nafisat Makinde
Nigeria Customs Service has imposed compulsory drug testing on every new recruit and serving officer in an unprecedented move to eradicate substance abuse from its ranks.
Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi unveiled the policy on Friday, 21 November 2025, at the closing ceremony of the CGC’s 2025 Conference held in Abuja.
The directive covers applicants in the current recruitment exercise and extends to all personnel across zones, commands, and headquarters.
New officers will undergo mandatory screening before receiving appointment letters, while thousands of serving officers face phased testing nationwide. Adeniyi described the measure as critical to preserving sound judgment in revenue collection, anti-smuggling operations, and border security.
We will no longer spend Service resources rehabilitating personnel who enter with substance-abuse tendencies, Adeniyi said. There will be no compromise.
The policy was triggered by incidents in which erratic behaviour and poor operational decisions were later linked to drug use among officers, he disclosed.
Revenue collection and national security cannot tolerate even one moment of clouded thinking, Adeniyi warned, adding that officers must remain mentally sharp at all times.
Implementation begins immediately with the ongoing recruitment, with systematic testing of existing personnel to follow in the coming months. Positive results will attract severe disciplinary action, including dismissal.
Adeniyi also directed officers to prioritise regular medical check-ups for overall fitness.
