The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has concluded the final screening exercise for candidates shortlisted under its 2024/2025 recruitment programme, with nearly 3,000 applicants subjected to age, medical, physical fitness and drug screening.
The two-week exercise, which commenced on September 7 and ended on September 19, was conducted at the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Gwagwalada, Abuja.
The screening covered candidates shortlisted for positions in the Assistant Superintendent of Customs II, Inspectorate and Customs Assistant cadres.
Speaking on the exercise, a member of the coordinating team, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Adamu Musa, said close to 3,000 candidates had undergone the screening without any casualty.
According to him, the exercise was designed to ensure that only candidates who met the Service’s recruitment requirements progressed to the next stage.
Candidates were subjected to various checks, including documentation, physical fitness, medical examinations and drug tests.
Musa explained that candidates who tested positive for hard drugs, exceeded the prescribed age limit or were found to have physical conditions considered incompatible with Customs duties could be disqualified, subject to the final decision of the Service.
The Customs official also disclosed that the Service introduced personalised screening forms containing candidates’ records to improve the efficiency and transparency of the exercise.
The forms enabled officials to track candidates through the different stages of the screening process while reducing congestion and delays at the screening centre.
The recruitment exercise attracted significant interest, with the Service previously announcing that 3,852 candidates were selected from 573,680 applications.
The successful candidates comprised 1,275 candidates for the Superintendent Cadre, 367 for the Inspectorate Cadre and 2,210 for the Customs Assistant Cadre.
The conclusion of the screening brings the 2024/2025 recruitment exercise closer to its final stage, with the Nigeria Customs Service expected to determine the candidates who will proceed after the completion of all verification processes.
The Service has also indicated plans to adopt an annual recruitment cycle, potentially creating more opportunities for prospective applicants in subsequent exercises.
