Customs Concludes 2025 Recruitment Screening, Screens Nearly 3,000 Candidates

By Harriet Tornguvan 

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has concluded the final phase of its 2025 recruitment exercise, with nearly 3,000 shortlisted candidates screened during the two-week exercise held at the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Gwagwalada, Abuja.

The screening, which commenced on September 7 and ended on September 19, 2026, covered candidates shortlisted for the Assistant Superintendent of Customs II (ASCII), Inspectorate and Customs Assistant cadres.

The exercise involved documentation, physical fitness assessments and medical screening, with candidates screened in batches to reduce congestion and ensure an orderly process.

Speaking on the outcome of the exercise, the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Human Resource Development, Frank Onyeka, said measures were introduced to address challenges identified during the earlier phase of the recruitment process.

Onyeka said the measures were aimed at reducing congestion, improving efficiency and ensuring a smoother screening process.

“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 said.

Also speaking, a Deputy Comptroller of Customs and member of the coordinating team, Adamu Musa, said the exercise recorded significant improvements, with close to 3,000 candidates screened without any casualty.

Musa attributed the improvement to the introduction of personalised screening forms containing candidates’ records for the various stages of the assessment.

He explained that the forms contained candidates’ personal details and records required for sports, medical and documentation assessments, as well as checklists of required items.

According to him, the system enabled officials to verify candidates’ information against records already captured in the recruitment system, thereby reducing opportunities for manipulation.

Musa stressed the importance of continuous manpower development, noting that the expanding responsibilities of the Customs Service in national security, border protection and other areas required a well-trained and adequately equipped workforce.

He added that candidates were assessed based on criteria prescribed by the Service, including age, physical fitness and drug screening.

Musa said candidates who tested positive for hard drugs, exceeded the stipulated age limit or had physical conditions capable of affecting their duties could be disqualified, subject to the final decision of the NCS management.

He also urged candidates and members of the public to verify recruitment information through the official NCS website and verified social media platforms to avoid falling victim to fraudulent recruitment messages.