The Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Adewale Adeniyi, has introduced a sweeping policy that mandates every new recruit and serving officer in the NCS to undergo compulsory drug screening.
Announced as part of the ongoing recruitment exercise, the directive is designed to ensure that only individuals who are mentally fit and free from substance dependence are entrusted with critical responsibilities within the agency.
Speaking at the closing of the CGC’s 2025 Conference in Abuja, Adeniyi said the measure is essential to protect the quality of decision-making in areas such as border security, enforcement, and revenue collection.
He added that the Service has concluded arrangements to subject all incoming officers and men to a mandatory drug test.
“The Service would no longer tolerate a situation where personnel make sensitive decisions while under the influence of drugs,” Adeniyi said.
The plan begins with screening new recruits and will be expanded to personnel in commands, zones, and the headquarters as the agency pushes toward becoming what it called a fully drug-free institution.
Adeniyi referenced past incidents of erratic conduct tied to substance misuse, stressing that the Service cannot allocate resources to rehabilitating officers who should have been screened out before entry.
He added, “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.”
Adeniyi emphasized the importance of sound judgment for officers in critical roles and encouraged routine mental and physical fitness evaluations.
The initiative aligns with broader reforms across security institutions, including the police, immigration, and correctional services, which now incorporate drug testing and psychological assessments.
It also supports long-standing advocacy by NDLEA chairman Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), who has repeatedly urged security agencies to adopt strict drug screening as part of efforts to combat substance abuse and build public trust.
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