Over 1.4 million Nigerians have applied for vacancies in the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), The Nation learnt on Sunday.

But the authorities of the NSCDC confirmed that there were vacancies for only 5,000 personnel whose fate would be determined by the board of the Corps in the next few weeks.

The NSCDC, which opened its online portals for online filing of applications, posted the vacant positions on August 9, 2019.

But by the time the deadline elapsed on September 7, 2019, over 1.4 million Nigerians had applied for the various positions announced by the NSCDC, Fire, Immigration and Prisons Service Board.

NSCDC spokesman Emmanuel Okeh, who confirmed the high number of apllications, told The Nation that the screening of candidates would begin online as those whose ages had passed the requirement would be eliminated.

He added that those who engaged in multiple registration as well as candidates with inconsistent academic qualifications would be deleted from prospective candidates for the recruitment.

On the upsurge in the number of applicants for the NSCDC, Okeh said the development was not unexpected, considering the large number of unemployed persons in the country.

The spokesman attributed the large turnout to the fact that many Nigerian youths were interested in joining the NSCDC, given its remarkable and excellent outings over the years.

When asked how the recruitment would be done, he said the ball was in the court of the board.

Okeh added that the Federal Character principle would be reflected on the exercise.

He said the management of the NSCDC would be glad if the number of intakes increased on the basis of budgetary allocations by the Federal Government and the board.

According to him, there is need for increased manpower in the organisation.

(The Nation)