New policy aims to strengthen discipline, transparency, and operational integrity across the service
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced a new mandatory drug-screening policy for all officers—both newly recruited and serving personnel—in a major effort to strengthen discipline, boost transparency, and enhance institutional integrity.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, revealed the directive during the closing ceremony of the 2025 Comptroller-General of Customs Conference held in Abuja. He said the initiative is designed to ensure that no officer operates under the influence of substances that could impair judgment or compromise national security duties.
Mandatory Testing for Recruits and Serving Officers
Under the new policy, drug tests will become a compulsory component of the final recruitment process before candidates proceed to basic training. For serving officers, drug screening will now be included in regular fitness and medical assessments across all commands.
Dr. Adeniyi explained that the decision followed internal observations indicating that substance abuse had contributed to erratic and unprofessional behavior by some personnel in the past.
He stressed that the NCS is determined to build a “fully drug-free institution,” adding that the service cannot afford the risks associated with compromised operational decisions.
Emphasis on Officer Health and Wellness
The Customs chief also urged officers to prioritize their physical and mental health by undergoing routine medical checkups. He noted that the demands of revenue collection, enforcement operations, and border patrol require officers to be at their best at all times.
Policy to Be Enforced Nationwide
The mandatory drug-testing directive takes immediate effect across all NCS formations, including zonal commands, area commands, and headquarters departments.
The service says the reform is part of broader efforts to promote professionalism, enhance public trust, and maintain a high level of accountability within Nigeria’s frontline border-management institution.
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