Recruitment: Nigeria Customs begin final screening of 3,852 candidates

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commenced the final phase of its 2024/2025 recruitment exercise, with shortlisted candidates undergoing documentation, physical fitness assessments and medical screening.

The exercise is being conducted at the Service’s Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Gwagwalada, Abuja, as the NCS moves towards concluding the recruitment of successful applicants.

The NCS spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, disclosed this on Thursday, saying the final screening exercise commenced on Monday and would continue for two weeks, ending on September 19.

Screening covers three cadres

Maiwada said the exercise was designed for shortlisted candidates under the Assistant Superintendent of Customs II (ASCII), Inspectorate and Customs Assistant cadres.

He explained that candidates were being screened in batches arranged alphabetically according to their states of origin. The arrangement, according to him, was intended to prevent congestion at the screening venue and ensure that the exercise was conducted in an orderly manner.

The screening involves documentation and physical fitness assessments, as well as medical examinations, as part of the requirements for candidates seeking to join the Customs Service.

Addressing the candidates, the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Human Resource Development, Frank Onyeka, said the Service was assessing more than the physical capabilities of applicants.

He said character, discipline and professional conduct were also important considerations in determining the suitability of candidates for recruitment into the NCS.

“On behalf of the NCS Comptroller-General, Bashir Adeniyi, I congratulate you on reaching this stage.

“I urge you to remain orderly and strictly adhere to the guidelines. Beyond physical requirements, your attitude, discipline, and conduct are critical factors in deciding who ultimately joins the service,” Onyeka said.

Customs assures candidates of transparent process

Onyeka said the NCS was working closely with the Customs Police and other relevant units within the Service to safeguard the integrity of the recruitment process.

He urged the candidates to comply with the instructions guiding the exercise and maintain proper conduct throughout the screening.

Also speaking, the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs and Commandant of the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, Dow Gaura, said administrative innovations and collaboration among relevant agencies had helped to streamline the recruitment process.

Gaura said the exercise was being conducted in line with the policy direction of the Comptroller-General of Customs, which emphasises continuous operational improvement, collaboration and innovation.

He described the process as orderly, saying the arrangements put in place had helped to prevent disruptions during the screening.

“The process has been seamless, hitch-free and conducted without any casualties,” Gaura said.

3,852 candidates emerge from 573,680 applications

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that screening for candidates under the Assistant Superintendent of Customs cadre ended on Thursday, while evaluations for the Inspectorate and Customs Assistant cadres would continue until September 19.

The NCS had earlier announced an annual recruitment cycle and released the final list of 3,852 successful candidates for its 2024/2025 recruitment exercise on August 4.

The recruitment exercise attracted 573,680 applications from prospective candidates seeking employment with the Service.

Out of the 3,852 available positions, 1,275 candidates were selected for the Superintendent Cadre, while 367 candidates were selected for the Inspectorate Cadre.

A further 2,210 candidates were selected for the Customs Assistant Cadre.

The latest screening represents the final stage of the recruitment process before successful candidates proceed to the next phase of their engagement with the Nigeria Customs Service.

The Service has maintained that candidates are expected to follow all instructions issued during the exercise and meet the required standards before their eventual admission into the organisation.