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By Stella Odueme
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced a review of complaints from applicants who were shortlisted during its recent recruitment exercise but were disqualified during screening and prevented from proceeding to the training college.
The Service said the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, had directed a case-by-case reappraisal of the complaints following a meeting with some of the affected applicants.
In a statement issued on Monday and signed by the Deputy Comptroller of Customs and National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, the NCS acknowledged the concerns raised by the applicants and assured them that genuine complaints would receive appropriate attention.
However, the Service clarified that appearing on the final shortlist did not automatically guarantee enlistment, noting that candidates were required to satisfy all prescribed recruitment conditions.
According to the statement, the screening process involved credential and document verification, physical fitness and endurance assessments, medical examinations, age verification, drug screening and other mandatory requirements.
The NCS disclosed that screening identified issues involving substance abuse, excluding cigarettes and alcohol, physical fitness, medical records, age and submitted documentation among 397 applicants.
It added that some candidates were also disqualified over irregularities identified in their selection process.
The Service said the findings reinforced its commitment to maintaining established recruitment standards and ensuring that only qualified candidates were enlisted.
To address the complaints, the NCS urged aggrieved applicants to submit their details and grievances through its designated email address, helpdesk@customs.gov.ng.
It advised applicants to provide accurate information to enable the Service to examine their cases and determine the appropriate action.
The statement further explained that applicants seeking a review would undergo fresh screening, stressing that the exercise would not amount to a waiver of existing requirements or guarantee admission into the training college.
It 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.
The Service urged affected applicants and members of the public to remain calm and use the designated complaint channel, assuring them that the review would be conducted in line with established procedures.
The NCS reaffirmed its commitment to a transparent, credible and accountable recruitment process, noting that it would not compromise the standards required of personnel responsible for national security, border protection, revenue collection and public safety.