The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Dr Adewale Adeniyi, has announced that all new recruits — along with serving officers — will undergo compulsory drug testing as part of a renewed drive to strengthen discipline and operational integrity within the Service.
Speaking during the closing session of the CGC’s 2025 Conference in Abuja, Adeniyi said the directive forms part of a wider effort to prevent individuals with substance-abuse tendencies from joining the organisation, warning that such vulnerabilities could compromise judgment, security responsibilities and overall service effectiveness.
While the policy is primarily targeted at incoming officers, he confirmed that serving personnel would also be screened as the NCS works towards what he described as “a fully drug-free institution”.
Mandatory testing, he said, will be conducted across all Zones, Commands and the Headquarters. The CGC stressed that the Service would no longer tolerate situations in which officers make sensitive or high-stakes decisions while under the influence of drugs.
Adeniyi noted that the move was informed by past incidents in which erratic behaviour and poor decision-making in certain Commands were traced to substance misuse.
“There will be no compromise,” he said. “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 that officers responsible for revenue collection, enforcement and border security must demonstrate sound judgment at all times, warning that early signs of substance abuse would no longer be overlooked.
The CGC further urged personnel to prioritise their health and to undertake regular medical checks, emphasising that both physical and mental fitness remain vital for effective service delivery.