The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has given an update on the progress of its ongoing recruitment exercise, revealing that 286,697 candidates will proceed to the next phase — an online Computer-Based Test (CBT) scheduled from September 14 to 21, 2025.
The recruitment exercise commenced with an official advertisement published in national newspapers on Friday, December 27, 2024.
“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.
“The Service received a total of 573,523 applications during the first phase of the exercise. After a rigorous documentary scrutiny, 286,697 candidates were invited to proceed to 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,” the spokesperson of the NCS, AC Abdullahi Maiwada said in a statement on Wednesday.
AC Maiwada noted that candidates shortlisted for the CBT are required to undertake the test at any location of their choice, provided there is reliable internet access.
However, he stated that the exercise must 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,” he explained.
Maiwada also advised candidates to avoid switching between windows during the test, as such actions will be flagged as malpractice and may lead to disqualification.
The statement further reads: “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 Service assured all stakeholders that the ongoing recruitment process remains strictly merit-driven and transparent, emphasising that successful candidates will be duly informed of subsequent phases of the exercise through its official communication channels.
It further affirmed that other necessary details would 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 added.
