The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced a rescheduling of its pre-test for shortlisted Superintendent Cadre applicants, citing earlier operational challenges.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the agency said candidates who had already received notification via email would now sit for the online assessment in four batches, labelled A to D.

Applicants in the Inspectorate and Assistant Cadres are expected to be contacted at a later date for their own tests.

“All shortlisted Superintendent Cadre candidates should use their National Identification Number (NIN) to check their batch, date and time via the portal updates.customs.gov.ng,” the notice read.

The service warned that strict compliance with the assigned schedule was mandatory, with failure to adhere resulting in disqualification.

Inspectorate and Assistant Cadre applicants were advised not to attempt logging into the platform at this stage. The NCS also stressed that the pre-test would not directly influence the recruitment outcome but was designed to familiarise applicants with the digital system and aid smooth planning of the broader exercise.

The agency confirmed that the pre-test link remained the same as earlier circulated to candidates.

The NCS, which plays a central role in revenue generation and border security, has in recent years stepped up recruitment exercises to boost its workforce amid growing trade volumes and security challenges. The move comes as part of wider government efforts to modernise customs operations through technology, improve efficiency at the borders, and curb smuggling.

The recruitment process has drawn keen interest, with thousands of applicants vying for limited slots. Previous exercises have been marred by technical hitches and overcrowding, prompting the service to increasingly rely on digital tools for transparency and ease of access.

The NCS urged patience and cooperation from applicants as it works to deliver a more seamless recruitment process. (The Guardian)