The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced that 286,697 applicants have been shortlisted for the next phase of its nationwide recruitment exercise, which is offering just 3,927 positions across different cadres.
The disclosure was made by the Service’s National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, who described the exercise as one of the most competitive in recent years.
The recruitment drive, first advertised in national newspapers on 27 December 2024, attracted a total of 573,523 applications from across the country.
Maiwada said after a meticulous review of submissions, slightly more than half of the applicants were found eligible to move forward in the selection process.
“The Service received a total of 573,523 applications during the first phase of the exercise. After a rigorous documentary scrutiny, 286,697 candidates were invited to proceed to the next phase. The second stage of the exercise, scheduled to take place from September 14th to 21st, 2025, will be conducted through an online Computer-Based Test (CBT), reflecting the Service’s commitment to transparency, accessibility, and fairness in the selection process,” he said in a press statement issued on Wednesday.
According to him, candidates shortlisted for the CBT are required to undertake the test at any location of their choice, “provided there is reliable internet access.”
“The exercise must, however, be conducted using a laptop or desktop computer equipped with a webcam and a full-screen display, as the application is not mobile phone-enabled. A facial verification process will be carried out during login; therefore, candidates are advised to maintain a neat appearance to avoid difficulties with recognition,” he further stated.
Maiwada cautioned that the testing platform is highly sensitive, with noise, whispering or excessive movements potentially resulting in automatic logout.
“In the same vein, candidates are advised to avoid switching between (browser) windows during the test, as such actions will be flagged as malpractice and may lead to disqualification,” he said. “To further assist shortlisted applicants, the Service has made provisions for a mandatory pre-test exercise, which will be conducted two days before the actual CBT. This session will enable candidates to familiarise themselves with the application.
In this regard, two separate links will be sent to all shortlisted applicants, one for the pre-test and another for the actual examination. Candidates who applied for the Superintendent Cadre (Level 8) should note that they will be invited for an additional CBT in the next phase of the recruitment exercise. This provision does not apply to the Inspectorate and Customs Assistant cadres.”
Reassuring the public of the Service’s commitment to integrity, the Customs spokesman emphasised that the recruitment process is entirely free of charge and urged applicants to disregard unofficial sources of information, particularly on social media.
He reaffirmed that updates on subsequent stages will be released exclusively through the NCS’s official communication channels.
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