Customs Concludes 2025 Recruitment Screening, Records Smoother Process
By Pan Afric Reporters
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 in an improved and more orderly process at the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Gwagwalada, Abuja.
The development was contained in a statement on the recruitment exercise, which ran from Monday, September 7 to Saturday, September 19, 2026, with candidates shortlisted for the Assistant Superintendent of Customs II (ASCII), Inspectorate and Customs Assistant cadres screened in batches to reduce congestion and ensure an orderly process.
Speaking on the outcome, the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Human Resource Development, Frank Onyeka, said measures had been introduced to address shortcomings observed during the earlier phase of the exercise and improve 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 said, while stressing the need for discipline and responsibility among candidates.
Also speaking, the Deputy Comptroller of Customs and member of the coordinating team, Adamu Musa, said the exercise had recorded significant improvements, with close to 3,000 candidates screened without any casualty. He attributed the improved process to the introduction of personalised screening forms containing candidates’ records across the various stages of assessment.
Musa explained that the new system was designed to prevent alteration or manipulation of candidates’ records, noting that each shortlisted candidate had a dedicated form containing details required for sports, medical screening, documentation and other assessment stages. “These forms come with the candidates’ records, including their names and details for sports, medical, documentation, and the checklist of required items,” he said.
The Deputy Comptroller stressed the importance of continuous manpower development, saying the expanding responsibilities of the Service in national security, border protection and other national duties made it necessary to continually strengthen the capacity and quality of its workforce.
He further disclosed that candidates would be assessed against established criteria, including age, physical fitness and drug screening. Candidates who test positive for hard drugs, exceed the stipulated age limit or have physical conditions capable of affecting their duties may be disqualified, subject to the final decision of management.
Musa also urged candidates and members of the public to guard against recruitment fraud by obtaining information only through the NCS official website and verified social media platforms, warning against reliance on fraudulent messages or unverified recruitment claims.
