The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, has announced a new policy making drug testing compulsory for all new recruits and serving officers.
Adeniyi, who revealed the directive at the closing session of the CGC’s 2025 Conference in Abuja, said the measure is part of the ongoing recruitment exercise and is aimed at preventing individuals with substance-related issues from joining or remaining in the Service.
He explained that personnel responsible for border security, enforcement, and revenue collection must always exercise sound judgment, stressing that the Service would no longer tolerate officers making sensitive decisions under the influence of drugs.“We have concluded arrangements to subject all incoming officers and men to mandatory drug tests.
There will be no compromise,” he told Customs spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada. “We must ensure we are not spending Service resources rehabilitating personnel.”The policy, which will kick off with new recruits, will subsequently cover all serving officers across the headquarters, zones, and commands as the Service works toward becoming a fully drug-free institution.
Adeniyi referenced past incidents of erratic behavior and poor decision-making linked to substance abuse as justification for the reform.He also encouraged regular medical checks to ensure the mental and physical fitness of officers, especially those in sensitive roles.
The directive aligns with recent reforms in security agencies such as the police, immigration, and correctional services, which have adopted random drug tests and psychological evaluations.
It also supports long-standing advocacy by NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), who has repeatedly urged security institutions to institutionalize drug testing to curb substance abuse and strengthen public trust.The new policy is expected to tighten discipline, minimize operational risks, and reinforce confidence in Customs frontline personnel.