The Nigeria Customs Service has announced that 286,697 candidates have been shortlisted to proceed to the second phase of its ongoing recruitment exercise, scheduled to take place from September 14 to 21, 2025. The next stage will be conducted through an online Computer-Based Test.
According to a statement released on Wednesday by the NCS National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, the development reflects the service’s commitment to transparency, accessibility, and fairness in its selection process.
Maiwada stated that out of 3,927 available vacancies, the service received a total of 573,523 applications, which were rigorously screened. The shortlisted 286,697 candidates will now advance to the CBT phase.
In January, The PUNCH reported that at the 61st quarterly board meeting, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, revealed the Federal Government had approved the recruitment of 3,927 officers across the Superintendent, Inspectorate, and Customs Assistant cadres.
The recruitment exercise is part of NCS’s statutory mandate to strengthen manpower capacity and enhance service delivery.
Maiwada provided further details on the CBT, noting that candidates could undertake the test from any location with reliable internet access, but it must be completed using a laptop or desktop computer equipped with a webcam and full-screen display. The application is not mobile-enabled.
“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.
Candidates are also advised not to switch between windows during the CBT, as such actions are flagged as malpractice and may result in disqualification.
To assist candidates, NCS will conduct a mandatory pre-test session two days before the main examination. This session will allow applicants to familiarise themselves with the CBT application. Two separate links will be provided: one for the pre-test and another for the actual examination.
Maiwada further explained that candidates applying for the Superintendent Cadre (Level 8) will undergo an additional CBT during the next phase of the recruitment, a requirement that does not apply to the Inspectorate and Customs Assistant cadres.
He emphasised that the ongoing recruitment remains strictly merit-driven and transparent, with successful candidates to be informed of subsequent stages through the NCS official communication channels. Applicants are strongly urged to adhere strictly to the issued guidelines and rely solely on verified official platforms for updates, as the service does not request any form of payment nor conducts recruitment activities on social media platforms.
The NCS has continued to underscore the integrity and fairness of its recruitment process, reflecting the service’s ongoing efforts to strengthen workforce capacity and ensure competent officers are deployed to meet Nigeria’s trade and border management needs.
