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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the shortlist of 286,697 candidates who will proceed to the next stage of its ongoing recruitment exercise. The shortlisted applicants are expected to take part in a Computer-Based Test (CBT) scheduled to hold online between September 14 and September 21, 2025.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the National Public Relations Officer of NCS, Abdullahi Maiwada, the development demonstrates the service’s commitment to transparency, fairness, and accessibility in the recruitment process.
Maiwada explained that the service received a total of 573,523 applications for 3,927 available vacancies. After a rigorous screening exercise, 286,697 candidates were shortlisted to move forward to the CBT stage.
He noted that the recruitment exercise was approved earlier this year by the Federal Government as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen manpower capacity and improve service delivery. At the 61st quarterly board meeting in January, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, announced that the Federal Government had given approval for the recruitment of 3,927 officers across three cadres: Superintendent, Inspectorate, and Customs Assistant.
Maiwada said the CBT is designed to be conducted online to ensure accessibility for all applicants, irrespective of their location. However, he emphasised that candidates must use a laptop or desktop computer with a full-screen display and a functional webcam, as the application will not work on mobile phones.
“A facial verification process will be conducted during login; therefore, candidates should maintain a neat appearance. The system is sensitive to noise and body movement, so candidates must remain fully focused throughout the test. Excessive movement, whispering, or background distractions may trigger automatic logout,” Maiwada said.
He also warned candidates against switching between windows during the CBT, stressing that such actions would be flagged as malpractice and could lead to immediate disqualification.
To help candidates prepare, Maiwada said a mandatory pre-test session will be held two days before the main examination. This session will give applicants the chance to familiarise themselves with the CBT platform. Two separate links will be provided—one for the pre-test and another for the actual test.
The spokesperson also disclosed that candidates applying for the Superintendent Cadre (Level 8) will be required to sit for an additional CBT in the next phase of the recruitment, while this requirement will not apply to the Inspectorate and Customs Assistant cadres.
He stressed that the recruitment process remains strictly merit-based and transparent, and successful candidates will be notified about subsequent stages through official communication channels of the NCS. Maiwada warned applicants to ignore unofficial sources and to be wary of fraudulent claims. He clarified that the Service does not charge applicants any fees and does not conduct recruitment through social media platforms.
The Nigeria Customs Service has repeatedly emphasised that the recruitment process is aimed at attracting qualified Nigerians who can contribute effectively to the Service’s statutory role in trade facilitation, anti-smuggling, and border security.
The recruitment also comes at a time when NCS is implementing reforms to modernise its operations through digital platforms, such as the Unified Customs Management System (popularly known as B’Odogwu), which aims to enhance revenue collection, streamline cargo clearance, and improve transparency in customs processes.
Stakeholders have commended the Service for adopting technology in its recruitment process, saying that the online CBT reduces the risk of malpractice, saves costs, and ensures that only competent candidates make it through to the final stages.
With more than half a million applications received, the scale of the exercise highlights both the rising interest of Nigerians in public service roles and the urgent demand for jobs in the country. Analysts say the decision to maintain a merit-driven recruitment process will not only boost public confidence in the Customs Service but also strengthen the institution’s capacity to meet Nigeria’s border management and trade facilitation needs.
The Service said it will continue to provide timely updates through official channels and encouraged candidates to remain vigilant and avoid falling victim to scams.
