Customs Clarifies Why Some Shortlisted Candidates Are Still Waiting for Training Invitations

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has explained that being named on its published list of successful candidates does not automatically mean that an applicant has secured a final appointment or a place in the service.

The clarification follows concerns from some shortlisted applicants who said they had completed the Computer-Based Test, physical screening and other stages of the recruitment process, but were still waiting for invitations to the basic training programme.

According to the NCS, the recruitment process is not yet complete. Deputy Comptroller of Customs and National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, explained that candidates must still satisfy the Service’s final requirements before they can proceed to training and eventually become officers.

He said the screening process is intended to determine which candidates meet the required standards and which should be disqualified. Among the issues that can affect a candidate’s eligibility are age, inconsistencies or forgery in academic credentials, medical conditions and drug use.

Maiwada also stressed that even candidates who are admitted into the Customs Training College do not automatically become officers. They must complete the training successfully and meet the required academic, physical and character standards before they can be commissioned.

The explanation comes against the background of a highly competitive recruitment exercise. The 2024/2025 recruitment process attracted 573,680 applications, from which 3,852 candidates were eventually selected across the Superintendent, Inspectorate and Customs Assistant cadres.  

The Service has also indicated that the training for candidates who successfully complete the required stages is scheduled to commence on October 9, 2026, at the Customs Training College in Ikeja. Its recruitment portal instructs candidates who have been cleared for basic training to report by 6:00 p.m. on that date.  

For applicants still waiting for invitations, the Customs Service’s position is that the publication of their names should not be interpreted as confirmation of final appointment. Further screening and verification must be completed before candidates can proceed through training and, ultimately, be commissioned as Customs officers.