The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has concluded the final phase of its 2025 recruitment.
Shortlisted candidates have thus completed their documentation, physical fitness assessments, and medical screenings at the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Gwagwalada, Abuja.
The two-week exercise, which started on September 7, ended on September 19, covering candidates across the Assistant Superintendent of Customs II (ASCII), Inspectorate, and Customs Assistant cadres.
The screening was conducted in batches to ensure an orderly process and reduce congestion at the centre.
Speaking on the outcome of the exercise, the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Human Resource Development, Frank Onyeka, said measures were taken to address gaps identified during the earlier phase, improve the screening process, and ensure greater efficiency.
‘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,’ Onyeka stated.
The Customs chief emphasised the importance of discipline and responsibility among candidates.
Also, the Deputy Comptroller of Customs and member of the coordinating team, Adamu Musa, stated that the exercise recorded significant improvements, with close to 3,000 candidates screened so far without any casualties.
He attributed the progress to the introduction of personalised screening forms containing the candidates’ records across the various assessment stages.
‘Any candidate who has been shortlisted has a form designed especially for him, unlike in the past where you came, they issued you a form, and then some people along the way went and even changed 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 said.
The Deputy Comptroller stressed the essence of continuous manpower development to strengthen the service’s capacity to meet its evolving responsibilities in national security, border protection, and other services to the nation.
He said the growing demands on Customs underscored the need to continually improve its workforce.
Musa added that candidates would be evaluated based on criteria set by the NCS, including age, physical fitness, and drug screening.
The Deputy Comptroller explained that candidates who test positive for hard drugs, exceed the stipulated age limit, or have physical conditions that may affect their duties could be disqualified, subject to management’s final decision.
Musa urged candidates and other members of the public to verify recruitment information through the service’s official website and verified social media platforms to avoid fraudulent messages.