Customs Invites 3,852 Successful Candidates for Screening in Abuja
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commenced the final phase of its 2024/2025 recruitment exercise, inviting 3,852 successful candidates for physical screening and documentation in Abuja.
The exercise, scheduled to take place at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, Abuja, follows one of the most competitive recruitment exercises undertaken by the Service.
A total of 573,680 applications were received, out of which only 3,852 candidates were shortlisted, representing a success rate of 0.67 per cent — approximately one successful candidate for every 148 applicants.
The development was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Deputy Comptroller of Customs and National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
The Service directed all shortlisted candidates to appear for the screening and documentation exercise with the original and photocopies of the required documents.
The documents include the National Identification Number, original birth certificate or declaration of age, educational certificates, certificate of state of origin, two recent passport photographs, completed guarantor’s form and National Youth Service Corps certificate, where applicable.
Candidates are also required to appear in a white T-shirt, shorts and canvas shoes.
The NCS warned candidates to report strictly on the dates allocated to their respective states and cadres, stressing that attendance at the exercise is compulsory.
It added that failure to appear as scheduled could result in disqualification from the recruitment process.
The latest development comes nearly two years after the recruitment exercise commenced in December 2024.
The prolonged recruitment process had generated concerns among applicants, prompting the Customs management to apologise for the delay when it announced the final list in August.
Announcing the final list, Adeniyi said the 3,852 successful candidates were selected across three entry cadres: 1,275 candidates for the Superintendent Cadre, 367 for the Inspectorate Cadre and 2,210 for the Customs Assistant Cadre.
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According to him, the selection followed several stages of screening and verification necessitated by the unusually high volume of applications.
The competition was particularly intense in the Superintendent and Inspectorate cadres.
The Superintendent Cadre attracted 276,995 applications for 1,275 positions, translating to approximately one successful candidate for every 217 applicants.
Similarly, 128,604 applicants competed for 367 Inspectorate Cadre positions, representing roughly one successful candidate for every 350 applicants.
For the Customs Assistant Cadre, 168,081 applications were received for 2,210 positions, translating to approximately one successful applicant for every 76 candidates.
Before the latest announcement, the Service had opened a portal for shortlisted candidates to update their personal information ahead of the final interview and physical screening.
Candidates were also required to upload medical certificates of fitness issued by government-recognised hospitals and accept their provisional offers of appointment.
Following the physical screening and documentation, candidates who successfully complete the process will receive further instructions regarding subsequent stages of the recruitment exercise.
The Service also renewed its warning against fraudsters seeking to exploit applicants.
Adeniyi emphasised that recruitment into the Customs Service was completely free, urging candidates not to make payments to individuals or groups promising employment.
He warned that anyone soliciting money in connection with the recruitment exercise should be reported to the Service and relevant security agencies.
The Customs boss also announced plans to institutionalise an annual recruitment cycle, replacing the previous practice of conducting recruitment exercises irregularly.
According to him, the new system is intended to make recruitment more predictable while enabling the Service to align manpower intake with projected retirements and operational requirements.
He disclosed that the 2026 recruitment exercise is expected to commence later this year and would be completed within a single calendar year, from advertisement to the publication of the final list.
By PRNigeria
