No More Compromise: Customs Launches Mandatory Drug Screening for Recruits, Serving Officers
Kathy Kyari
The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has announced that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) will now subject all incoming and serving officers to mandatory drug testing, marking one of the Service’s strongest internal reform measures in recent years.
Adeniyi made the declaration on Friday, 21 November 2025, during the closing session of the CGC’s 2025 Conference in Abuja, stressing that the decision was essential to safeguarding judgment, operational integrity, and national security.
According to the Customs chief, the directive will immediately apply to new recruits undergoing the current recruitment exercise, while serving officers will also be screened as part of the Service’s plan to build what he described as “a fully drug-free institution.”
He said the Service could no longer risk deploying personnel with substance-abuse tendencies to sensitive roles involving enforcement, revenue collection and border security.
“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 said.
Adeniyi revealed that the decision was prompted by past incidents in which erratic conduct and questionable decision-making in some Commands were later traced to substance misuse. Under the new regime, officers and men across all Zones, Commands and the Headquarters will undergo mandatory screening.
He added that the era of ignoring early signs of drug abuse within the ranks was over, as the Service intends to enforce strict discipline and professionalism across its operations.
The CGC also urged officers to prioritise their personal well-being, stressing that both physical and mental fitness are vital to effective service delivery.
With the directive, the Nigeria Customs Service signals a firm resolve to strengthen internal controls and reinforce public confidence in the capability and integrity of its workforce.
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