Nigeria Customs Service Addresses Recruitment Controversy

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has provided updates on its recruitment exercise, alleging that some applicants protested their removal after attempting to gain employment through unofficial means. NCS spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada stated that being on the successful candidates' list does not guarantee a job offer, as all shortlisted candidates must pass additional screening checks.

A total of 397 applicants were disqualified during physical screening for reasons including drug test failures, age verification issues, and documentation irregularities. Some candidates tested positive for medical conditions such as Hepatitis B and high blood pressure, while others submitted forged credentials or exceeded the age limit.

The NCS is investigating formal complaints from affected applicants and cautioned against resigning from current jobs before the process concludes. Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi defended the recruitment process, asserting that successful candidates were evenly distributed across all 36 states.

The Federal Character Commission, represented by Abdulwasiu Bawa-Allah, has called for the suspension of the exercise, citing a lack of monitoring.