Nigeria Customs Opens Review Window for 397 Rejected Recruitment Applicants

The Nigeria Customs Service has opened a review window for applicants rejected during its recent recruitment screening. Aggrieved candidates can now submit complaints for case-by-case reassessment, the Service said.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, approved the review after meeting some affected applicants. The candidates had been shortlisted for recruitment but were later disqualified from proceeding to the training college. The NCS announced the move in a statement on Monday, October 19, 2026, issued by its National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada.

Why 397 applicants were rejected

The screening exercise identified issues involving 397 applicants. The concerns covered substance use, physical fitness, medical records, age verification and submitted documentation. The Service said the substance-use findings excluded cigarettes and alcohol. Some candidates were also disqualified over irregularities in their selection process during screening.

Customs said appearing on the final shortlist does not automatically guarantee enlistment. Candidates must satisfy several mandatory screening requirements before admission into training. The Service said the findings reinforced the need to maintain recruitment standards and ensure that only candidates who meet all prescribed requirements are enlisted.

“The Service recognises the concerns raised by affected applicants and assures the public that the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, after meeting with some of the aggrieved applicants, has called for a case-by-case reappraisal to ensure legitimate complaints are heard,” the statement read in part.

How rejected applicants can appeal

The NCS directed applicants who believe they were unfairly disqualified to submit their details and complaints through its designated email address. Affected candidates are expected to provide accurate information to support the review.

Submitting a complaint will not automatically qualify an applicant for admission into the training college. Candidates whose complaints are accepted for further consideration will undergo fresh screening to determine whether they meet the recruitment requirements.

The Service warned that applicants found to have engaged in criminal conduct, including certificate fraud and other offences, would be referred for appropriate legal action and prosecution. It said the review process would not constitute a waiver of established standards or an automatic guarantee of enlistment.

Customs insists on transparent process

Customs urged affected applicants and the public to remain calm and use the designated channel to submit complaints. It reiterated its commitment to a credible, transparent and accountable recruitment process. It said personnel must meet the standards required for national security, border protection, revenue collection and public safety.

The review comes as the NCS continues reforms aimed at improving operational efficiency, strengthening enforcement and increasing revenue collection. Separately, the Service generated N4.03 trillion in revenue in the first half of 2026. That exceeded its mid-year projections and kept it on track towards an annual target of N11 trillion.

Adeniyi disclosed the revenue figures in a compendium. He attributed the performance to automation, intelligence-led enforcement and efforts to eliminate human discretion from core customs processes. He said the reforms were driving significant revenue growth without undermining trade.

For applicants, the window offers a chance to have legitimate complaints heard. It does not lower the screening bar. For the Service, the review is a test of how it balances transparency with standards as it pushes reforms and revenue collection.