The Nigeria Customs Service has released the list of shortlisted applicants for its ongoing recruitment exercise and has also announced the date for the Computer-Based Test.
The announcement was made in a press statement by Abdullahi Maiwada, PhD, Assistant Comptroller of Customs and National Public Relations Officer, who signed on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs.
Maiwada explained that the recruitment exercise commenced with an advertisement published in national newspapers on December 27, 2024, declaring 3,927 vacancies across the Superintendent, Inspectorate, and Customs Assistant cadres.
According to Maiwada, the Service received a total of 573,523 applications in the first phase of the recruitment. Out of this number, 286,697 candidates were shortlisted after a thorough documentation screening process.
The Customs spokesperson stated that the next phase of the exercise will be conducted through a Computer-Based Test, scheduled to hold between September 14 and September 21, 2025.
Maiwada further noted that the CBT will be conducted online in order to guarantee fairness, transparency, and accessibility for all applicants irrespective of their location.
He added that shortlisted candidates are expected to take the test using a laptop or desktop computer with a webcam and full-screen display, stressing that the application is not enabled for mobile phones.
The National Public Relations Officer emphasised that a facial verification process will be carried out at the point of login, hence candidates must appear neat to avoid any challenges with recognition.
Maiwada also warned that the CBT application is sensitive to noise and movement, advising candidates to remain attentive and avoid distractions during the examination.
He explained that whispering, excessive movements, or background disturbances may cause the system to automatically log candidates out of the platform. He also cautioned that switching between windows will be considered malpractice and could lead to disqualification.
The Customs spokesman revealed that the Service has arranged a mandatory pre-test session to hold two days before the main examination. This will allow applicants to familiarise themselves with the platform ahead of the actual test.
Maiwada disclosed that shortlisted candidates will receive two separate links, one for the pre-test exercise and another for the main CBT.
He added that those who applied for the Superintendent Cadre at Level 8 will sit for an additional CBT in the next phase of the recruitment, while the Inspectorate
The statement in full;
NIGERIA CUSTOMS SERVICE UPDATE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ON ITS ONGOING RECRUITMENT EXERCISE
1. The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is pleased to inform the general public on the progress of its ongoing recruitment exercise, which commenced with an official advertisement published in national newspapers on Friday, 27th December 2024. In line with its statutory mandate to strengthen manpower capacity and enhance service delivery, a total of 3,927 vacancies were declared across the Superintendent, Inspectorate, and Customs Assistant cadres.
2. The Service received a total of 573,523 applications during the first phase of the exercise. After a rigorous documentary scrutiny, 286,697 candidates were invited to proceed to the next phase. The second stage of the exercise, scheduled to take place from September 14th to 21st, 2025, will be conducted through an online Computer-Based Test (CBT), reflecting the Service’s commitment to transparency, accessibility, and fairness in the selection process.
3. Candidates shortlisted for the CBT are required to undertake the test at any location of their choice, provided there is reliable internet access. The exercise must, however, be conducted using a laptop or desktop computer equipped with a webcam and a full-screen display, as the application is not mobile phone-enabled. A facial verification process will be carried out during login; therefore, candidates are advised to maintain a neat appearance to avoid difficulties with recognition.
4. The CBT application is sensitive to noise and body movement. Accordingly, candidates must remain fully focused throughout the test’s duration, as excessive movement, whispering, or background distractions may result in automatic logout by the system.
In the same vein, candidates are advised to avoid switching between windows during the test, as such actions will be flagged as malpractice and may lead to disqualification.
5. To further assist shortlisted applicants, the Service has made provisions for a mandatory pre-test exercise, which will be conducted two days before the actual CBT. This session will enable candidates to familiarise themselves with the application. In this regard, two separate links will be sent to all shortlisted applicants, one for the pre-test and another for the actual examination. Candidates who applied for the Superintendent Cadre (Level 8) should note that they will be invited for an additional CBT in the next phase of the recruitment exercise. This provision does not apply to the Inspectorate and Customs Assistant cadres.
6. The Nigeria Customs Service assures all stakeholders that the ongoing recruitment process remains strictly merit-driven and transparent. Successful candidates will be duly informed of subsequent phases of the exercise through the Service’s official communication channels, the details of which will be conveyed in due course. Applicants are strongly advised to adhere strictly to the issued guidelines and 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.
ABDULLAHI MAIWADA PhD, mnipr, mniia
Assistant Comptroller of Customs
National Public Relations Officer
for Comptroller-General of Customs
10 September 2025