Nigeria Customs Service announces shortlist as nearly 600,000 applicants compete for less than 4,000 job openings; CBT scheduled for September 14–21, 2025.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it has received a staggering 573,523 applications for just 3,927 available vacancies in its ongoing recruitment exercise, highlighting the intense demand for federal employment in the country.
The recruitment drive, which was announced in national newspapers on December 27, 2024, aims to fill positions across the Superintendent, Inspectorate, and Customs Assistant cadres as part of efforts to boost manpower and enhance service delivery.
Following a rigorous documentation screening, the Service disclosed that 286,697 candidates have been shortlisted to advance to the next stage of the process.
Online CBT Set for September 14–21: The shortlisted candidates are expected to participate in an online Computer-Based Test (CBT) between September 14 and 21, 2025. According to the Service’s spokesperson, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada (PhD), the online format is designed to ensure fairness, accessibility, and transparency.
Candidates will take the CBT from any location with internet access, but only through a desktop or laptop computer equipped with a webcam and full-screen display. Mobile phones are not allowed. A facial verification process will be required before logging in.
“The CBT application is sensitive to noise and body movement. Excessive movement, whispering, or background distractions may result in automatic logout by the system,” Maiwada warned, adding that switching between windows during the test will be flagged as malpractice and may lead to disqualification.
Pre-Test Practice Session Introduced: To prepare candidates, the NCS has introduced a mandatory pre-test exercise to be conducted two days before the actual CBT. Shortlisted applicants will receive separate links for the pre-test and the examination proper.
Applicants for the Superintendent Cadre (Level 8) will also undergo an additional CBT in the next phase, unlike those applying for the Inspectorate and Customs Assistant cadres.
Process Remains Merit-Based: The NCS stressed that the recruitment exercise is strictly merit-based and transparent, warning applicants against fraudsters and unofficial platforms.
“All communication will be through official channels of the Service. The NCS will neither request any payment nor conduct recruitment via social media,” the statement read.
The Service further assured applicants that details of subsequent stages will be made public in due course.
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