Nigeria, Dec. 22 -- The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the introduction of mandatory pre-employment drug testing for prospective applicants into the Nigerian Public Service.

The move is part of broader efforts to address the growing challenge of illicit drug use and its impact on national development and security, authorities said.

The directive was conveyed in a service-wide circular issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), including extra-ministerial departments and parastatals.

Under the new policy, permanent secretaries and heads of MDAs are required to make drug testing a core condition for the recruitment of new personnel.

MDAs...