The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has opened a fresh window for aggrieved applicants in its recent recruitment exercise to submit complaints for review, following concerns raised by candidates who were shortlisted but subsequently disqualified during screening.
The Service said the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, had directed a case-by-case reassessment of complaints after meeting with some of the affected applicants.
In a press statement issued on Monday, October 19, 2026, the National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, said the initiative was designed to ensure that legitimate grievances received appropriate attention without compromising established recruitment standards.
Maiwada explained that appearing on the final shortlist did not automatically guarantee enlistment into the Service, as all candidates were required to satisfy prescribed screening and verification requirements.
He listed the recruitment procedures to include credential and document verification, physical fitness and endurance assessments, medical examinations, age verification, drug screening and other mandatory checks.
According to the statement, screening identified issues relating to substance use, excluding cigarettes and alcohol, physical fitness, medical records, age and submitted documentation among 397 applicants.
Some candidates were also disqualified over irregularities identified in their selection process.
The Service said the findings reinforced its commitment to ensuring that only candidates who met all prescribed requirements were considered for enlistment.
To address the concerns raised, the NCS urged affected applicants to formally submit their details and complaints through its designated email address, helpdesk@customs.gov.ng.
The Service advised applicants to provide accurate information to facilitate the examination of their cases.
It added that candidates seeking to benefit from the review process would undergo fresh screening, stressing that the exercise would not amount to an automatic guarantee of admission into the training college.
The statement further warned that applicants found to have engaged in criminal conduct, including certificate fraud and other offences, would be referred to the appropriate authorities for legal action and possible prosecution.
Maiwada urged the affected candidates and members of the public to remain calm and utilise the designated channel for submitting complaints.
He assured applicants that the review would be conducted in accordance with established procedures, with due regard for fairness, transparency and accountability.
The Customs Service, under the leadership of Adeniyi and its management team, reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a credible recruitment process.
It maintained that while genuine complaints would receive attention, the Service would not compromise the standards required of personnel responsible for national security, border protection, revenue collection and public safety.
The statement was signed by Maiwada on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs on October 19, 2026.
