Recruitment Exercise: Nigeria Customs Shortlists 286,697 Applicants for online CBT Scheduled from 14-21 September

ZAINAB JUNAID

As part of the ongoing recruitment exercise, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has shortlisted 286,697 applicants for an online Computer-Based Test (CBT), scheduled from 14th to 21st September 2025, reflecting the Agency’s commitment to transparency, accessibility, and fairness in the selection process.

Recall that the recruitment exercise commenced with an official advertisement published in national newspapers on Friday, 27th December 2024 and in line with its statutory mandate to strengthen manpower capacity and enhance service delivery, a total of 3,927 vacancies were declared across the Superintendent, Inspectorate, and Customs Assistant cadres.

According to a statement signed on Wednesday by the National Public Relations Officer for the Service, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, the Agency said it received 573,523 applications during the first phase of the exercise, and has invited 286,697 candidates after a rigorous documentary scrutiny for the next phase.

“The second stage of the exercise, scheduled to take place from September 14th to 21st, 2025, will be conducted through an online Computer-Based Test (CBT), reflecting the Service’s commitment to transparency, accessibility, and fairness in the selection process.

“Candidates shortlisted for the CBT are required to undertake the test at any location of their choice, provided there is reliable internet access. The exercise must, however, be conducted using a laptop or desktop computer equipped with a webcam and a full-screen display, as the application is not mobile phone-enabled. A facial verification process will be carried out during login; therefore, candidates are advised to maintain a neat appearance to avoid difficulties with recognition.

“The CBT application is sensitive to noise and body movement. Accordingly, candidates must remain fully focused throughout the test’s duration, as excessive movement, whispering, or background distractions may result in automatic logout by the system. In the same vein, candidates are advised to avoid switching between windows during the test, as such actions will be flagged as malpractice and may lead to disqualification.

“To further assist shortlisted applicants, the Service has made provisions for a mandatory pre-test exercise, which will be conducted two days before the actual CBT. This session will enable candidates to familiarise themselves with the application. In this regard, two separate links will be sent to all shortlisted applicants, one for the pre-test and another for the actual examination. Candidates who applied for the Superintendent Cadre (Level 8) should note that they will be invited for an additional CBT in the next phase of the recruitment exercise. This provision does not apply to the Inspectorate and Customs Assistant cadres.

“The Nigeria Customs Service assures all stakeholders that the ongoing recruitment process remains strictly merit-driven and transparent. Successful candidates will be duly informed of subsequent phases of the exercise through the Service’s official communication channels, the details of which will be conveyed in due course.

“Applicants are strongly advised to adhere strictly to the issued guidelines and to rely solely on verified official platforms of the Service for authentic updates, as the NCS will neither request any form of payment nor conduct recruitment activities on social media platforms,” the statement reads.