Eight applicants who were in the final stage of screening for teaching positions under the Kwara State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) have been disqualified for testing positive for banned substances. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), with full support from Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, carried out the drug tests on the 1,800 candidates who were shortlisted for final evaluation.
The disqualification was officially confirmed by TESCOM Chairman Bello Taoheed Abubakar through a statement issued by TESCOM’s Press Secretary, Sam Onile. According to the release, the substances found in the candidates’ systems include tramadol, marijuana, cotinine, benzodiazepine and amphetamine—all of which are prohibited and considered harmful.
As a result of the test outcomes, the affected candidates have lost their slots and will be replaced by others next in line based on performance from the same local government areas. The chairman emphasized that this step reflects the government’s strong position against drug abuse, especially in the education sector where the safety and well-being of school children are a top priority.
Abubakar praised the governor for maintaining a transparent and merit-based recruitment system, describing him as a leader committed to fairness and integrity. He stressed that Governor AbdulRazaq’s approach ensures that only qualified individuals enter the teaching workforce, safeguarding the quality of education in the state.
The TESCOM recruitment is one part of a broader plan by the state government to raise the standard of education and reinforce accountability in public service roles.
