No Payment Required: NDLEA Warns Immigration, NSCDC, Other Applicants Against Paying for Drug Test
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has warned applicants undergoing recruitment into four federal paramilitary agencies against paying for the mandatory Drug Integrity Test, saying the Federal Government has already covered the cost of the exercise.
The agency disclosed this in a statement on Friday, October 30, explaining that the Ministry of Interior had made bulk payment for the screening of new recruits into the Nigerian Correctional Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Fire Service and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said no candidate would be required to pay for the exercise, warning applicants against making payments to agency officials, testing centres or through any other channel.
The agency specifically advised participating personnel and applicants to disregard any demand for payment in connection with the mandatory screening.
According to NDLEA, candidates are expected to access its Drug Integrity Test portal through designated links or access points provided on their respective institutional recruitment portals.
The arrangement will allow applicants to register, complete the necessary documentation and proceed with the screening without making additional payments.
The announcement comes as the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) continues its recruitment process for the four paramilitary agencies.
The board had earlier announced that candidates who progressed to the oral interview stage would be required to undergo mandatory drug screening before collecting their appointment letters.
Its Secretary, Major General Abdulmalik Jibril (retd.), had also assured applicants that the Federal Government would bear the cost of the exercise and warned against paying individuals demanding money for the screening.
The recruitment portal reopened on October 28 and is scheduled to remain open until November 13, 2026, allowing eligible candidates to check their application status and obtain the necessary screening codes.
However, applicants have been advised to follow the designated recruitment instructions carefully, as NDLEA’s general Drug Integrity Test application process has a separate payment requirement for other categories of applicants.
The agency’s clarification means candidates participating in the government-funded recruitment exercise should not make payments for the mandatory test, regardless of demands from individuals or testing centres.
NDLEA reiterated its commitment to ensuring a smooth, transparent and efficient implementation of the exercise.
