The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commenced the final phase of its 2024/2025 recruitment exercise, inviting 3,852 successful applicants for physical screening and documentation in Abuja.

The screening exercise will take place at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, Abuja.

The development was announced on Tuesday by the Deputy Comptroller of Customs and National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi.

The recruitment exercise attracted 573,680 applications, making it one of the most competitive recruitment exercises conducted by the Service. Only 3,852 candidates were eventually selected, representing a success rate of 0.67 per cent.

According to the NCS, the successful candidates must report on the dates assigned to their respective states and cadres. Attendance is compulsory, and failure to appear as scheduled may result in disqualification.

Documents required for Customs recruitment screening

Candidates are required to attend the physical screening and documentation exercise with both original and photocopies of their relevant documents.

The documents include:

• National Identification Number (NIN)
• Original birth certificate or declaration of age
• Educational certificates, including O’Level, ND, HND, degree or other applicable qualifications
• Certificate of State of Origin
• Two recent passport photographs
• Completed Guarantor’s Form
• NYSC certificate, where applicable

Candidates are also expected to wear a white T-shirt, shorts and canvas shoes during the screening.

The Customs Service urged applicants to comply strictly with the screening schedule and requirements to avoid being disqualified.

Customs recruitment attracted over 573,000 applications

Speaking on the final list, Adeniyi said the Service received an exceptionally high number of applications before subjecting candidates to several stages of screening and verification.

A total of 1,275 candidates were selected for the Superintendent Cadre, 367 for the Inspectorate Cadre and 2,210 for the Customs Assistant Cadre.

The competition was particularly intense across the three cadres.

The Superintendent Cadre received 276,995 applications for 1,275 available positions, while 128,604 applications were received for 367 positions in the Inspectorate Cadre.

The Customs Assistant Cadre recorded 168,081 applications for 2,210 available positions.

The figures translate to approximately one successful candidate for every 148 applicants across the entire recruitment exercise.

Customs warns applicants against fraud

The Nigeria Customs Service also warned candidates to be wary of fraudsters seeking to exploit the recruitment exercise.

Adeniyi reiterated that recruitment into the Service is free and advised successful candidates not to pay anyone in exchange for employment.

He warned that anyone demanding money from applicants on behalf of the Customs Service should be reported to the appropriate authorities.

The latest screening exercise comes nearly two years after the recruitment process 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.

The Service had previously opened a portal for successful candidates to update their information ahead of the final interview and physical screening. Applicants were also required to submit medical certificates of fitness from government-approved hospitals and accept their provisional offers of appointment.

Following the completion of the physical screening and documentation, successful candidates will receive further instructions on the next stage of the recruitment process.

Customs to adopt annual recruitment exercise

The Comptroller-General also announced plans to make recruitment into the Nigeria Customs Service an annual exercise.

According to Adeniyi, the Service will no longer conduct recruitment only after several years but will adopt a predictable yearly recruitment cycle.

The 2026 Customs recruitment exercise is expected to commence later this year and is intended to be completed within one calendar year, from advertisement to the release of the final list.

The new approach, according to the Service, will enable better manpower planning while giving job seekers greater certainty about future recruitment opportunities.