The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has announced a new policy mandating compulsory drug testing for all recruits and serving officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
Adeniyi, who disclosed this on Tuesday during the closing session of the CGC’s 2025 Conference in Abuja, said the move is part of ongoing reforms aimed at preventing individuals with substance‑related issues from entering or remaining in the Service.
According to a statement issued by Customs spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, the drug‑testing policy will begin with fresh intakes and will also cover all personnel across Zones, Commands, and the Headquarters.
“The Nigeria Customs Service has concluded arrangements to subject all incoming officers and men to a mandatory drug test as part of the ongoing recruitment exercise,” the statement read.
“A mandatory drug test would be carried out for all officers and men across all Zones, Commands and at the Headquarters. The Service would no longer tolerate a situation where personnel make sensitive decisions while under the influence of drugs.”
Adeniyi said the decision followed incidents in some commands where erratic behaviour and questionable judgment were traced to substance abuse. He stressed that the NCS cannot risk compromised decision‑making among officers responsible for border security, enforcement, and revenue collection.
“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 added.
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The Customs boss urged officers to prioritise regular medical checks, noting that both mental and physical fitness are essential for effective service delivery.
The new directive comes at a time when several security and law enforcement agencies have adopted similar measures following repeated cases of misconduct linked to substance abuse. It also aligns with calls by NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), who has consistently advocated mandatory drug tests across all uniformed agencies.
The NCS says the drug‑free initiative is part of broader efforts to strengthen discipline, enhance operational efficiency, and boost public confidence in its frontline officers.