By: Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commenced the final phase of its 2025 recruitment exercise, with shortlisted candidates undergoing documentation, physical fitness assessments and medical screenings at the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Gwagwalada, Abuja.

The two-week screening exercise, which began on Monday, September 7, 2026, is expected to end on September 19, 2026, and involves shortlisted applicants for the Assistant Superintendent of Customs II (ASCII), Inspectorate and Customs Assistant cadres.

To prevent congestion and ensure an orderly exercise, the Service said candidates are being screened in batches, categorised alphabetically according to their states of origin.

Addressing the candidates, the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Human Resource Development, Frank Onyeka, said the recruitment process goes beyond physical fitness, stressing that candidates’ character, discipline and professional conduct would also be assessed.

“On behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, I congratulate you on reaching this stage,” Onyeka said.

“I urge you to remain orderly and strictly adhere to the guidelines. Beyond physical requirements, your attitude, discipline and conduct are critical factors in deciding who ultimately joins the Service.”

He said the Nigeria Customs Service was working closely with the Customs Police and other relevant units within the Service to protect the integrity and credibility of the recruitment process.

Also speaking, the Commandant of the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Dow Gaura, said administrative innovations and inter-agency collaboration had helped to streamline the screening exercise.

“Everything happening here reflects the policy vision of the Comptroller-General of Customs, which emphasises continuous operational improvement, collaboration and innovation,” Gaura stated.

“The process has been seamless, hitch-free and conducted without any casualties.”

Gaura said the ongoing exercise demonstrated the Service’s commitment to ensuring an efficient, transparent and well-coordinated recruitment process.

The screening for candidates in the Assistant Superintendent of Customs cadre is expected to conclude on Thursday, September 10, while the evaluation of candidates for the Inspectorate and Customs Assistant cadres will continue until September 19, 2026.