By: Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja.

In a sweeping new policy aimed at strengthening discipline and operational integrity within the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi on Friday announced that all incoming recruits — as well as serving officers — will now undergo mandatory drug testing.

Adeniyi made the announcement during the closing session of the 2025 Comptroller-General’s Conference in Abuja, framing the directive as a decisive step toward building what he called “a fully drug-free institution.”

According to the Customs chief, the new testing requirement will be enforced across all Zones, Commands, and the Service Headquarters, forming part of a comprehensive effort to eliminate substance abuse and its potential impact on sensitive security operations.

The measure, he said, is primarily focused on new entrants into the Service. However, existing personnel will also be screened as part of a wider push to stamp out drug-related lapses that have previously led to erratic behavior or questionable decision-making in certain Commands.

“There will be no compromise,” Adeniyi declared. “We are going to ensure that every new officer is tested so that we do not begin to spend Service resources rehabilitating personnel.”

He emphasized that Customs officers — particularly those tasked with border security, revenue collection, and enforcement duties- must maintain unimpaired judgment at all times. The era of ignoring early signs of substance misuse within the ranks, he added, “is over.”

Adeniyi also urged personnel to prioritize their physical and mental health by undergoing regular medical checkups, stressing that fitness remains a critical component of effective service delivery.

The policy marks one of the most assertive internal reforms undertaken by the NCS in recent years, signaling a broader institutional commitment to professionalism, accountability, and public trust.