Half of 573,523 applicants advance to computer-based testing phase for 3,927 positions across three cadres from September 14-21.
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Nigeria Customs Service has invited 286,697 candidates for online recruitment testing after screening over 573,000 applications for 3,927 advertised positions. The computer-based test runs from September 14-21, 2025, targeting Superintendent, Inspectorate and Customs Assistant cadres.
Nigeria Customs Recruitment Test Details and Requirements
National Public Relations Officer Abdullahi Maiwada announced Wednesday that what he called “rigorous documentary scrutiny” cut the applicant pool by nearly half. That’s quite a reduction, though it’s worth noting that such massive cuts aren’t uncommon in Nigerian government recruitment exercises.
The Nigeria Customs online recruitment test requires candidates to use laptops or desktop computers with webcams and full-screen displays from any location with reliable internet access. “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),” Maiwada stated via the Service’s official X account.
Mobile phones are completely off-limits for the testing platform. Facial verification happens at login, and candidates need to present themselves clearly to avoid recognition issues during the Nigeria Customs CBT examination. This might prove challenging for some applicants in areas with poor lighting or unstable internet connections.
Strict Anti-Cheating Measures for Computer-Based Testing
Here’s where things get interesting, and potentially problematic. The CBT application appears to monitor noise levels and body movement quite extensively. Excessive movement, whispering, or background distractions can trigger automatic logout from the Nigeria Customs recruitment platform.
Customs also warned candidates against switching between windows during testing. “Such actions will be flagged as malpractice and may lead to disqualification,” the statement emphasized. While this makes sense from a security standpoint, it could create issues for candidates dealing with technical glitches or system crashes.
There’s a mandatory pre-test exercise two days before the actual CBT to help candidates get familiar with the system. Shortlisted applicants will receive separate links for both the practice session and real examination.
Superintendent Cadre Faces Additional Testing Phase
Candidates applying for Superintendent Cadre (Level 8) positions will face an additional CBT round in the next recruitment phase. This extra requirement doesn’t apply to Inspectorate and Customs Assistant cadre applicants, though the reasoning behind this distinction isn’t entirely clear from the announcement.
The recruitment exercise, which was formally advertised on December 27, 2024, attracted 573,523 applications during its initial phase. That’s a staggering number that likely reflects the challenging employment landscape many Nigerian graduates are navigating right now.
Merit-Based Selection Process Emphasized
NCS says the recruitment process follows strict merit-based criteria. The Service urged applicants to rely exclusively on official communication channels for updates, warning against fraudulent recruitment schemes. Given Nigeria’s history with recruitment scams, this warning seems particularly relevant.
The 3,927 available positions span multiple operational areas within Nigeria’s customs operations. Successful candidates will join what is arguably one of Nigeria’s most important revenue-generating agencies, responsible for trade facilitation and border security.
Background on Nigeria Customs Service Recruitment
The Nigeria Customs Service conducts these mass recruitment exercises periodically to address staffing needs across its nationwide operations. Previous drives have attracted hundreds of thousands of applicants for limited positions, a pattern that underscores the high unemployment rates among Nigerian graduates.
The Service’s push toward computer-based testing appears to align with broader federal government digitization efforts aimed at improving transparency and reducing examination malpractice. Online testing also enables broader geographic participation, though it may inadvertently exclude candidates without reliable internet access or proper equipment.
Current recruitment covers entry-level to mid-level positions across customs operations, including cargo examination, revenue collection, and border patrol duties. The positions offer federal government employment benefits and career advancement opportunities within Nigeria’s civil service structure, benefits that remain attractive despite ongoing economic challenges.
