Anglican Synod seeks drug tests for public office seekers

File photo: Most Rev. Henry Chukwudum Ndukuba

The Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, has called for a constitutional amendment to make drug and substance-abuse testing mandatory for serving public officers and persons seeking elective or appointive public offices.

The call was contained in a communiqué issued by the General Secretary, Church of Nigeria, Ven. Festus Chukwunyere, Dean, Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. Blessing Enyindah and the Archbishop, Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, at the end of the 15th General Synod of the Church of Nigeria, held at Our Saviour’s Church, Ikenne, Diocese of Remo, Ogun State, from Monday, September 14 to Friday, September 18, 2026.

The Synod expressed concern over what it described as the escalating menace of drug trafficking, substance abuse and addiction in Nigeria, particularly among young people.

It said the problem was increasingly associated with violent crime, insecurity, gang activity and harm to mental health, family wellbeing and the economy.

“The Synod calls on government and relevant agencies to intensify public education, prevention, enforcement, rehabilitation and reintegration, with stronger collaboration among Government, schools, families, communities, the Church and relevant agencies,” the communiqué stated.

It further called for “consideration of a constitutional amendment requiring mandatory, credible and periodic drug and substance-abuse testing for serving public officers and persons seeking elective or appointive public office and appropriate sanctions for verified violations.”

The Synod, presided over by Ndukuba, also addressed insecurity, the economy, healthcare, education, food security, national unity and the 2027 general elections.

On the elections, the Church called on Nigerians, political leaders and parties to place national unity, peace and the common good above partisan interests.

“Political actors and citizens should reject hate speech, violence, intimidation, vote-buying and misinformation, embracing issue-based campaigns and peaceful participation,” it said.

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The Synod also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to uphold “neutrality, transparency and credibility” in the conduct of the elections, while calling on the Judiciary to act independently and impartially in election-related matters.

On insecurity, the Church urged governments at all levels to do more to protect citizens, recommending increased intelligence gathering, coverage of ungoverned spaces and the recovery of territories under the control of terrorists.

It also expressed concern over Nigeria’s deepening food crisis, saying conflict, climate change, hyperinflation and high farming costs had contributed to the situation.

The Synod called on the government to restore farm security, invest substantially in mechanised farming, provide single-digit loans, transparently subsidise inputs, reduce post-harvest losses and establish a transparent Agriculture Trust Fund.

“Farmers must be empowered to feed the nation,” it said.

Recall that in 2025, the federal government approved the introduction of mandatory pre-employment drug testing for prospective applicants into the Public Service.

The Director of Information and Public Relations, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, said the approval was part of efforts to address the growing problem of illicit drug use and its impact on national development and security.

He said Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Extra-Ministerial Departments and Parastatals have been directed to make drug testing a core requirement in the recruitment of new personnel.