The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has improved on its processes of recruitment as it ends the final phase of its 2025 recruitment exercise.
To this end, it has shortlisted candidates completing documentation, physical fitness assessments, and medical screenings at the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Gwagwalada, Abuja.
The NCS in a statement signed by its National Public Relations Officer, Dr. Abdullahi Maiwada revealed that the two-week exercise which commenced on Monday, 7 September 2026, ended on Saturday, 19 September 2026, covering candidates across the Assistant Superintendent of Customs II (ASCII), Inspectorate, and Customs Assistant cadres.
According to the statement which was made available to Maritime Bits, the screening was conducted in batches to ensure an orderly process and reduce congestion at the centre.
An Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs (ACG), in charge of Human Resource Development, Frank Onyeka who spoke on the outcome of th exercise, said measures had been implemented to address gaps identified during the earlier phase, improve the screening process, and ensure greater efficiency.
“We have put measures in place to reduce congestion and ensure a smoother process this week. The gaps identified last week have been addressed, and we do not expect them to recur this week,” Onyeka stated, while emphasising the importance of discipline and responsibility among candidates.
Also speaking, Deputy Comptroller of Customs and member of the coordinating team, Adamu Musa, stated that the exercise had recorded significant improvements, with close to 3,000 candidates screened so far without any casualty. He attributed the progress to the introduction of personalized screening forms containing candidates’ records across the various assessment stages.
His words: “Any candidate that has been shortlisted has a form designed especially for him, unlike in the past where you come, they issue you a form, and then some people along the way go and even change some of the records. These forms come with the candidates’ records, including their names and details for sports, medical, documentation, and the checklist of required items. So, once the candidate comes, you just verify what you already have from the system.”
Musa stressed the importance of continuous manpower development to strengthen the service’s capacity to meet its evolving responsibilities in national security, border protection, and other services to the nation.
According to him, the growing demands on Customs underscore the need to continually improve its workforce. Candidates would be evaluated based on criteria set by the service, including age, physical fitness, and drug screening. He explained that candidates who test positive for hard drugs, exceed the stipulated age limit, or have physical conditions that may affect their duties could be disqualified, subject to management’s final decision.
He enjoined candidates and members of the public to verify recruitment information through the service’s official website and verified social media platforms to avoid fraudulent messages.
