In a dramatic twist to the ongoing recruitment process by the Kwara State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), eight shortlisted candidates have lost their job slots after testing positive for hard drugs, sending shockwaves through the state’s education community.
The disqualified applicants were among 1,800 candidates who scaled earlier stages of the recruitment process, only to be caught in the final lap by a mandatory drug screening exercise carried out in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
According to a statement released Monday by TESCOM’s Press Secretary, Sam Onile, the individuals tested positive for banned substances including benzodiazepine, tramadol, cotinine, marijuana, and amphetamine—all classified as harmful and performance-impairing.
The Commission revealed that the screening was part of a stringent quality control initiative endorsed by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, aimed at ensuring that only mentally and physically fit candidates are entrusted with the responsibility of shaping the minds of Kwara’s next generation.
Speaking on the incident, TESCOM Chairman Bello Taoheed Abubakar emphasized the zero-tolerance stance of the state government towards drug abuse.
> “This exercise is not just about recruitment—it is a message. A bold and unmistakable signal that drug abusers have no place in our classrooms. The integrity and safety of our students come first,” he declared.
He further explained that the disqualified applicants will be promptly replaced by those next in line based on merit within their respective local government areas, reinforcing the government’s commitment to fairness and transparency.
Onile, echoing the chairman’s remarks, praised Governor AbdulRazaq for what he described as “a golden legacy of meritocracy” in Kwara’s public sector recruitment.
> “Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has again proven his commitment to excellence by ensuring this process is not only fair but grounded in the highest standards,” Onile noted. “His insistence on rigorous vetting has cemented his status as a leader determined to elevate education in Kwara State.”
With this bold move, the Kwara State Government has once again raised the bar in public sector recruitment, championing merit, responsibility, and drug-free professionalism in the teaching profession.
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