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….397 Applicants Flagged During Screening as CGC Adeniyi Opens Complaint Window, Warns Against Certificate Fraud
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has opened a fresh window for aggrieved recruitment applicants to challenge their disqualification, offering renewed hope to candidates who were shortlisted but subsequently barred from proceeding to the training college.
The decision followed complaints from affected candidates, some of whom expressed dissatisfaction after being screened out despite appearing on the recruitment shortlist.
In a significant move to address their concerns, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, has directed a case-by-case review of complaints to ensure that genuine grievances receive appropriate attention.
The Service, however, has drawn a clear line between the right to seek redress and automatic admission, insisting that no applicant will be enlisted without meeting all the mandatory recruitment requirements.
In a press statement dated October 19, 2026, and signed by the National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, PhD, mnipr, mniia, the Service acknowledged the concerns raised by the affected candidates and assured them that legitimate complaints would be examined.
The development provides a fresh opportunity for applicants who believe they were wrongly disqualified to present their cases for reconsideration.
397 Applicants Affected by Screening Findings
Providing further insight into the controversy, the Customs Service disclosed that screening exercises identified various concerns involving 397 applicants.
According to the statement, the issues included substance abuse, excluding cigarettes and alcohol, physical fitness deficiencies, medical records, age discrepancies and irregularities in submitted documents.
Some applicants were also disqualified following the discovery of irregularities in their selection process.
The Service maintained that the screening procedures were designed to ensure that only qualified and suitable candidates were admitted into the institution.
It explained that appearing on the final shortlist does not automatically guarantee recruitment, as candidates must successfully pass several verification stages before they can be considered for enlistment.
These stages include credential authentication, document verification, physical fitness and endurance tests, medical examinations, age verification and drug screening.
The NCS stressed that these requirements remain compulsory for every applicant, regardless of their position on the shortlist.
Customs Opens Official Complaint Channel
As part of the review process, the Service has directed all aggrieved applicants to submit their complaints and relevant personal details through its official email address.
Applicants can submit their complaints to: helpdesk@customs.gov.ng
Affected candidates have been advised to provide accurate information to enable the Service to assess their cases and determine whether their complaints warrant further consideration.
The Customs management said the initiative was intended to ensure that genuine concerns were heard while preserving the credibility, transparency and fairness of the recruitment exercise.
The fresh review is expected to give applicants an opportunity to present their grievances through an established channel rather than relying on informal appeals.
However, the Service emphasised that the process would not amount to a blanket reversal of disqualifications.
Fresh Screening Awaits Applicants Seeking Review
In a warning that underscores the seriousness of the exercise, the NCS stated that applicants seeking reconsideration would undergo fresh screening.
The Service also cautioned that any investigation uncovering criminal conduct, including certificate fraud and other offences, could lead to referral to the appropriate authorities for legal action and prosecution.
It stressed that the complaint window should not be interpreted as a relaxation of recruitment standards or a guarantee of admission into the training college.
The position suggests that while affected candidates now have an opportunity to seek redress, the final decision will depend on the outcome of the review and compliance with the prescribed requirements.
Adeniyi Reaffirms Commitment to Credible Recruitment
The Customs Service said its decision reflects its willingness to listen to legitimate complaints without compromising the standards expected of personnel entrusted with sensitive national responsibilities.
The NCS plays a critical role in safeguarding Nigeria’s borders, collecting government revenue, enforcing customs regulations and combating illicit trade.
Accordingly, the Service maintained that its recruitment process must remain rigorous enough to ensure that prospective officers possess the necessary qualifications, physical fitness, medical suitability and integrity.
It urged affected applicants and members of the public to remain calm and take advantage of the official complaint channel, assuring them that submitted cases would be considered in line with established procedures.
The management, under the leadership of CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, reaffirmed its commitment to a recruitment process anchored on transparency, accountability and fairness.
For the disqualified applicants, the latest decision represents an opportunity to have their complaints heard. But the Customs Service has made its position unmistakable: every genuine grievance deserves consideration, but no candidate will be admitted without satisfying the requirements for enlistment.
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