By Suleiman Aremu | Solaremnews | Monday 19, October, 2026
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced a case-by-case review of complaints from applicants who were disqualified during its recent recruitment screening exercise, providing an opportunity for affected candidates to present their grievances for reconsideration.
The Service said the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, made the decision after meeting with some of the aggrieved applicants, directing that their complaints be reappraised to ensure that legitimate concerns receive appropriate attention.
In a press statement issued on Monday, October 19, 2026, the National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, PhD, said the review was intended to provide a formal channel for addressing genuine complaints while preserving the integrity, fairness and credibility of the recruitment process.
The Service, however, clarified that appearing on the final recruitment shortlist does not automatically guarantee enlistment or admission into the training college.
According to the NCS, recruitment into the Service involves several stages of verification, including credential and document checks, physical fitness and endurance assessments, medical examinations, age verification, drug screening and other mandatory requirements.
The Service disclosed that screening exercises identified issues involving 397 applicants, relating to substance use, excluding cigarettes and alcohol, physical fitness, medical records, age and submitted documentation.
It added that some candidates were also disqualified following the identification of irregularities in their selection process during the screening exercise.
The NCS explained that the findings underscored the importance of enforcing established recruitment standards to ensure that only candidates who meet all prescribed requirements are considered for enlistment.
To facilitate the review, the Service has directed applicants who feel aggrieved by the outcome of the screening exercise to submit their details and complaints through its designated email address, helpdesk@customs.gov.ng.
Affected candidates were advised to provide accurate information to enable the Service to examine their individual cases and determine whether their complaints merit further consideration.
The NCS said the initiative was designed to ensure that legitimate grievances receive appropriate attention without undermining the established procedures governing recruitment into the Service.
It further stated that applicants who take advantage of the new opportunity would be subjected to fresh screening as part of the review process.
However, the Service warned that the review would not exempt any candidate from meeting the prescribed recruitment requirements or automatically guarantee admission into the training college.
It also cautioned that where investigations establish criminal conduct, including certificate fraud or other offences, the individuals involved would be referred for appropriate legal action and prosecution.
The Service urged affected applicants and members of the public to remain calm and use the designated channel to submit their complaints, assuring them that the review would be conducted in accordance with established procedures.
Reaffirming its commitment to transparency and accountability, the NCS said it remained open to genuine complaints but would not compromise the standards required of personnel entrusted with national security, border protection, revenue collection and public safety responsibilities.
The Service reiterated that the review was aimed at ensuring that legitimate concerns were heard while maintaining the credibility of its recruitment process under the leadership of CGC Adeniyi and the management of the NCS.
The statement was signed by Abdullahi Maiwada, PhD, mnipr, mniia, Deputy Comptroller of Customs and National Public Relations Officer, on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs.
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