The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has opened a fresh window for complaints from applicants disqualified during its recent recruitment exercise, directing aggrieved candidates to submit their cases for individual review.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, announced the move after meeting some affected applicants. The Service said the review would allow genuine complaints to be examined on their merits without compromising established recruitment standards.
The NCS explained that appearing on the final shortlist does not guarantee enlistment, noting that candidates must pass several mandatory screening stages, including document verification, physical fitness assessments, medical examinations, age checks and drug screening. According to the Service, 397 applicants were flagged for various issues during the screening process.
The identified concerns included substance use, excluding cigarettes and alcohol, physical fitness, medical records, age discrepancies, documentation problems and irregularities in the selection process. The Service said the requirements were necessary to ensure that only qualified candidates proceeded to training.
Affected applicants have been advised to submit their complaints and relevant details through helpdesk@customs.gov.ng. The NCS urged candidates to provide accurate information to enable the appropriate examination of their cases, stressing that the review process was designed to address legitimate grievances and strengthen confidence in the recruitment exercise.
The Service further stated that applicants whose complaints are accepted for review would undergo fresh screening. However, it warned that the process would not guarantee admission into the training college, adding that cases involving suspected criminal conduct, including certificate fraud, could be referred for investigation and prosecution.
The NCS urged applicants and members of the public to remain calm and use the designated complaints channel rather than resorting to unverified claims. It reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability and fairness while maintaining the standards required of personnel responsible for border protection, revenue collection, national security and public safety.
The statement was signed by the National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, on October 19, 2026. The Service said the review would be conducted in line with established procedures, reiterating that genuine complaints would receive attention without weakening the integrity of its recruitment process.