By Ajoke Faseun
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has defended its ongoing recruitment exercise amid reports that more than 500 candidates whose names appeared on its published recruitment list were allegedly excluded from invitations to commence training, insisting that shortlisting does not guarantee final enlistment.
The clarification followed a report by SaharaReporters alleging that some candidates who completed the recruitment and screening stages were not invited for training despite having their names published on the recruitment list. Some of the affected candidates reportedly claimed that individuals whose names were absent from the list received invitations, while others said they had resigned from their jobs, relocated and incurred significant expenses in anticipation of joining the Service.
In its response on Wednesday evening, the NCS explained that recruitment into the Service was a multi-stage process involving documentary and credential verification, physical and endurance assessments, medical examinations, drug-abuse screening and other mandatory checks. It stressed that inclusion on a shortlist or participation in subsequent screening exercises did not constitute an unconditional guarantee of enlistment or commencement of training.
According to the Service, candidates could be excluded from the final training cohort if subsequent verification revealed that they failed to meet one or more prescribed requirements, including age limits, medical and physical fitness standards, drug-screening requirements or the authenticity and consistency of submitted credentials.
Addressing allegations surrounding the exclusion of more than 500 candidates and claims that some individuals who were not on the published list received training invitations, the NCS said it was aware of the concerns but would not authenticate individual claims without checking them against official recruitment records. It cautioned that the volume of complaints should not, in itself, be interpreted as proof of irregularities in the exercise.
The Service maintained that invitations to commence training were issued based on the outcome of the recruitment process and the applicable requirements for progression. It added that the final training cohort comprised candidates who satisfied the prescribed conditions and attained the required standard. The NCS also declined to disclose individual assessment scores, rankings, medical findings and confidential selection considerations, citing the need to protect the integrity of the process.
On concerns raised by candidates who said they had resigned from employment, relocated or incurred expenses in anticipation of joining the Service, the NCS expressed understanding but maintained that such personal and professional decisions could not override the established recruitment requirements or create an entitlement to enlistment.
The Service further stressed that its recruitment exercise was intended not merely to fill vacancies but to ensure that only candidates whose suitability had been satisfactorily established were enlisted into the paramilitary organisation. It said the exercise was concluded in accordance with approved requirements and the applicable cutoff standard.
Meanwhile, the National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada, reaffirmed the Service’s position that the recruitment exercise was free, fair, transparent and credible.
“I want to reiterate that the process of the current recruitment exercise into the Nigeria Customs Service is free, fair, transparent and credible,” Maiwada said.
In a bid to address further concerns and promote public understanding, the Customs spokesman invited SaharaReporters to an exclusive one-on-one interview at the Service’s headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, to seek clarification on the recruitment process.
“In the spirit of balance and transparency, I am delighted to invite your credible platform for a one-on-one exclusive interview to address all your enquiries regarding this exercise at the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja,” he said.
Maiwada added that the Service was willing to provide the information required to properly educate the public about the exercise.
The NCS said its overriding responsibility remained ensuring that every candidate enlisted met the prescribed standards, reiterating that appearing on a published recruitment list was distinct from receiving final clearance to commence training.
Leave a Reply