By George Ozalla
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has concluded the final phase of its 2025 recruitment exercise, with shortlisted candidates completing documentation, physical fitness assessments and medical screening at the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Gwagwalada, Abuja.
The two-week exercise, which commenced on Monday, September 7, 2026, ended on Saturday, September 19, with candidates drawn from the Assistant Superintendent of Customs II (ASCII), Inspectorate and Customs Assistant cadres participating in the final screening.
The exercise was conducted in batches to ensure an orderly process, reduce congestion and allow the various stages of the screening to be properly coordinated.
Speaking on the outcome of the exercise, the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Human Resource Development, Frank Onyeka, said the Service had introduced measures to address gaps identified during the earlier phase of the exercise and improve the overall screening process.
Onyeka said the measures were designed to reduce congestion and make the exercise smoother for candidates.
“We have put measures in place to reduce congestion and ensure a smoother process this week. The gaps identified last week have been addressed, and we do not expect them to recur this week,” he stated.
He also emphasised the need for discipline and responsibility among the candidates throughout the screening process.
Also speaking, the Deputy Comptroller of Customs and member of the coordinating team, Adamu Musa, said the exercise had recorded significant improvements, noting that close to 3,000 candidates had been screened without any casualty.
Musa attributed the improved process to the introduction of personalised screening forms containing the records of individual candidates across the different stages of the exercise.
According to him, the new system has made it easier for officials to verify candidates’ information and reduced the possibility of alteration of records during the screening.
“Any candidate that has been shortlisted has a form designed especially for him, unlike in the past where you come, they issue you a form, and then some people along the way go and even change some of the records.
“These forms come with the candidates’ records, including their names and details for sports, medical, documentation, and the checklist of required items. So, once the candidate comes, you just verify what you already have from the system,” Musa explained.
He said the experience also demonstrated the importance of continuous manpower development within the Service, particularly as the responsibilities of the NCS continue to expand in the areas of national security, border protection and other services to the country.
Musa said the increasing demands placed on the Customs Service required continuous efforts to strengthen the capacity and quality of its workforce.
He further explained that candidates were assessed against criteria established by the Service, including age, physical fitness and drug screening.
According to him, candidates who test positive for hard drugs, exceed the stipulated age limit or have physical conditions considered capable of affecting their ability to perform assigned duties could be disqualified, subject to the final decision of the management.
Musa also urged candidates and members of the public to rely on the official communication channels of the Nigeria Customs Service for recruitment information.
He advised applicants to verify recruitment-related messages through the Service’s official website and verified social media platforms in order to avoid falling victim to fraudulent recruitment messages.
