Fact Check: Did Nigeria Customs Skew Promotion Against Northern Officers?
Claim: A popular skit maker, Bello Galadanci, who goes by the moniker Dan Bello, claimed in a recent skit that a promotional examination conducted by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in 2024 was annulled by the Controller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, on allegations of malpractice by officers from the northern part of the country.
Background: In December 2024, PRNigeria reported that the NCS management approved the promotion of 1,419 junior officers across various ranks. This decision was ratified during the 10th management meeting chaired by the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, on November 29, 2024. Shortly after, the Customs Board (NCSB), chaired by the Finance Minister, Mr. Wale Edun, confirmed the appointment of one Deputy Comptroller General (DCG) and seven Assistant Comptrollers General (ACGs). An additional 4,291 senior officers were promoted.
In the same month, the NCS announced plans to recruit 3,927 officers after granting special promotions and generating over N5 trillion in 2024. Before the release of Dan Bello’s skit, there were no indications of widespread discontent over the promotion process.
Verification: PRNigeria reached out to multiple official and unofficial sources at the NCS headquarters. These sources confirmed that a promotional examination was indeed held across geopolitical zones but was partially cancelled due to identified anomalies. The exams were rescheduled and subsequently conducted without bias, ensuring that all affected officers had the opportunity to participate.
The contentious examination for promotion from Superintendent of Customs (SC) to Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSC) was initially held on August 20, 2024, in five locations: Abuja, Kaduna, Bauchi, Lagos, and Port Harcourt. Due to irregularities, the exams were rescheduled to November 8, 2024, in Abuja and Lagos, where they were closely monitored.
A document obtained by PRNigeria revealed a merit-based distribution of promoted officers across the country. Of the 642 officers promoted from SC to CSC, the breakdown was as follows:
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- North Central: 122
- Northeast: 100
- Northwest: 152
- South East: 78
- South-South: 106
- South West: 84
Overall, 374 officers from the North (58%) were promoted, compared to 268 officers from the South (42%).
In addition, among 16 officers granted special promotions for outstanding performance and bravery, nine were from the North. Two exceptional officers from Kano received double promotions.
Reactions from Northern Officers: Several senior customs officers from the North, speaking anonymously to PRNigeria, refuted the allegations of ethnic bias. They emphasized that the CGC, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has consistently upheld the federal character principle and ensured merit-based promotions.
“Our Comptroller General operates strictly on merit and competence. The tribal sentiment expressed on social media is dangerous for the unity and cooperation we enjoy in the NCS,” one officer remarked.
Another officer highlighted the CGC’s inclusiveness in assigning key positions even at the headquarters:
- Deputy Comptroller General (DCG) Bello Jibo, in charge of Administration and Finance, hails from Kebbi State.
- DCG Caroline N., in charge of Revenue, is from Plateau State.
- Chief of Staff Isa Umar is from Zamfara.
- National Spokesperson Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada is from Katsina.
- Personal Secretary Adamu Yusuf Musa is from Bauchi.
- ADC Datahun James is from Plateau State.
- Official Drivers and orderlies are also from various northern states, including Sokoto, Kano and Kogi.
“The CG’s leadership style reflects a detribalised approach to governance. Allegations of ethnic bias are baseless and misleading,” another officer concluded.
Conclusion: PRNigeria’s findings show that the promotional examinations were cancelled and rescheduled due to irregularities, not ethnic bias. Officers from all affected zones were allowed to retake the exams. Data from the promotion exercise demonstrates a fair and merit-based approach, with northern officers receiving a significant share of promotions.
Verdict: PRNigeria‘s investigation found no evidence of skewed appointments, stalled promotions, or ethnic bias against northern customs officers. Therefore, the allegation is misleading and false.
