The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced progress in its ongoing recruitment exercise, confirming that 286,697 candidates have been shortlisted to participate in the next phase of the process.
The recruitment exercise, which began with an advertisement published on December 27, 2024, declared a total of 3,927 vacancies across the Superintendent, Inspectorate, and Customs Assistant cadres. According to the Service, it received 573,523 applications during the first stage, out of which nearly half were cleared for further screening.
The second phase, scheduled for September 14–21, 2025, will be conducted through an online Computer-Based Test (CBT). The NCS said the decision to adopt a virtual test reflects its commitment to transparency, accessibility, and fairness.
Candidates are expected to take the test using a laptop or desktop computer with a webcam and full-screen display, as mobile phones will not be supported. The system includes facial verification, making neat appearance essential to avoid login challenges.
The Service also warned that the CBT application is highly sensitive to noise, movement, and window switching, stressing that such actions could lead to automatic logout or disqualification.
To aid preparation, the NCS has arranged a mandatory pre-test exercise, to be held two days before the main CBT. Shortlisted candidates will receive separate links for both the pre-test and the main examination. Additionally, candidates applying for the Superintendent Cadre (Level 8) will sit for an extra CBT in the subsequent stage of the recruitment, while this provision will not apply to other cadres.
Reassuring stakeholders, the National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, PhD, stated that the recruitment process will remain strictly merit-driven and transparent.
“Applicants are strongly advised to rely solely on verified official platforms of the Service for authentic updates, as the NCS will neither request any form of payment nor conduct recruitment activities on social media platforms,” he said.
Successful candidates will be notified of the next stages of the exercise through official communication channels.