The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced that 286,697 candidates have been shortlisted to participate in its Computer-Based Test (CBT) as part of the ongoing recruitment exercise.

According to the Service, the test will run between 14 and 21 September 2025 and will be conducted online to ensure transparency and accessibility.

The NCS had earlier declared 3,927 vacancies across the Superintendent, Inspectorate, and Customs Assistant cadres when the recruitment opened in December 2024. The Service disclosed that it received a total of 573,523 applications.

Speaking on the update, the National Public Relations Officer of Customs, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, PhD, mnipr, mniia, said:

“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.”

Test requirements and guidelines

Candidates are expected to take the test from any location of their choice provided they have reliable internet access. However, the Customs Service stressed that the test can only be taken on a laptop or desktop computer with a webcam and full-screen display, as the application is not mobile phone-enabled.

A facial recognition process will be conducted during login, making neat appearance crucial.

The Service also warned that the system is highly sensitive to noise, movement, and attempts to switch between windows during the test.

“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,” Maiwada stated.

“Switching between windows during the test will be flagged as malpractice and may lead to disqualification.”

Mandatory pre-test exercise

To help applicants prepare, the NCS has introduced a compulsory pre-test session that will take place two days before the actual CBT.

Two links will be sent to shortlisted applicants — one for the pre-test and another for the examination. Candidates applying for the Superintendent Cadre (Level 8) will also be invited for an additional CBT in the next stage of the recruitment.

Assurance of fairness

The Service emphasised that the recruitment exercise remains merit-driven.

“The Nigeria Customs Service assures all stakeholders that the ongoing recruitment process remains strictly merit-driven and transparent,” Maiwada said.

“Successful candidates will be duly informed of subsequent phases of the exercise through the Service’s official communication channels.”

Applicants were cautioned to rely only on official platforms for updates, as the NCS will not demand any payments or use social media to conduct recruitment.

Background

The recruitment drive, advertised on 27 December 2024, is part of efforts to strengthen manpower capacity and enhance service delivery within the Customs Service.

With nearly 574,000 applications received, the process has drawn significant interest from Nigerians seeking opportunities in the agency.

The Lagos Industrial Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service witnessed a historic transition on Monday, 8 September 2025, as Comptroller Adebola Salawu assumed office as the new Customs Area Controller. She took over from Comptroller Sarah Mamza Wadinda (Rtd), who retired after a distinguished career marked by service and social impact.

The formal handing-over ceremony was held at the Command headquarters in Festac Town.

Outgoing Comptroller’s legacy

Comptroller Wadinda retired just weeks after launching a landmark corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, “Customs Cares,” at Festac Senior Grammar School in August 2025.

Her projects included:

Installation of a water treatment plant.

Establishment of an electronic library.

Donation of a photocopier.

Refurbishment and painting of school facilities, including the toilets.

She noted that the projects were made possible through collaboration with key stakeholders of the Command.

Expressing gratitude, Wadinda said:

“I am profoundly grateful to the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR fnipr psc++, for the confidence reposed in me to serve at the Lagos Industrial Area Command. I enjoin all officers to exercise their competence and give maximum cooperation to my successor for continuous trade facilitation towards enhanced revenue collection. My career fulfilment will be mirrored in the legacy left behind for my successor.”

Incoming Comptroller’s vision

In her response, Comptroller Adebola Salawu praised her predecessor for her dedication and urged officers to extend the same level of support during her tenure.

She emphasized the importance of innovation and capacity building within the Command, especially with the adoption of the Unified Customs Management System (B’Odogwu).

Salawu said:

“I commend the good work of my predecessor and wish her success in her future endeavours. I urge all officers of the Lagos Industrial Area Command to extend the same hands of cooperation during my tenure. Officers should take advantage of the newly boarded Unified Customs Management System (B’Odogwu), with emphasis on in-house training and stakeholder engagement, to enhance excise performance towards the economic growth of the nation.”

Broader impact

The leadership transition is seen as critical for sustaining customs reforms in Lagos, a hub for Nigeria’s industrial and commercial activities. Analysts believe that Salawu’s emphasis on digital systems, training, and collaboration could boost revenue generation and trade facilitation.

The Nigeria Customs Service has continued to prioritize leadership development, digitalization, and corporate social responsibility in its bid to strengthen operations and support national growth.

The newly appointed Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Apapa Port Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, has made history by overseeing a revenue collection of ₦20.1bn in just one day, less than 24 hours after assuming office.

According to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the command collected ₦20,156,077,098.56 on Tuesday, 9 September 2025, the highest daily revenue ever recorded by any command using the Unified Customs Management System, popularly known as B’Odogwu.

The figure surpasses the previous record of ₦18bn, cementing Oshoba’s vow to build on the achievements of his predecessor.

A New Era of Revenue Drive

Shortly after resuming on Monday, Comptroller Oshoba held a strategy meeting with senior officers of the command. He urged them to push for greater productivity, stressing that the real proof of dedication lies in measurable results.

He reminded his team that excellence is a product of “hard work, dedication and uncompromising disposition to duty.”

Oshoba: ‘This is Only the Beginning’

Speaking on the landmark ₦20.1bn collection, Comptroller Oshoba maintained that the achievement is just the beginning of more to come.

“I commend my team and stakeholders for this great milestone of ₦20.1b collection in one day just 24 hours after I resumed here. It’s not the time to clap yet because clapping means removing your two hands from work to celebrate.

Let’s leave the celebration and applause for days ahead when we shall have future achievements of surpassing targets, curbing any attempted smuggling or concealment and treating trade with productive speed without compromising our integrity. I believe in Action, which speaks louder than words,” he said.

The Role of B’Odogwu in Customs Modernisation

Comptroller Oshoba highlighted the significance of the B’Odogwu platform, describing it as a crucial tool in modernising Nigeria’s customs operations.

“He described B’Odogwu as a necessity in the build-up to a more modern and efficient customs administration in Nigeria with potential to strengthen the country’s position as Africa’s largest economy noted for trade facilitation.”

The CAC assured that the system would help ensure transparency, speed in trade processing, and compliance among stakeholders.

A Call for Stakeholder Compliance

The Apapa Customs boss stressed the importance of partnership between customs officers and trade stakeholders in sustaining revenue growth.

“We are all part of history as our collective efforts are resonating positively on the Nigerian economy. I urge my officers to keep the great work going and for the stakeholders, they should stay on the path of compliance,” Comptroller Oshoba added.