The Federal Character Commission (FCC), has called on the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to immediately suspend its ongoing recruitment training over allegations that more than 500 candidates whose names appeared on the published final list were excluded from the exercise.

The commission also demanded complete recruitment records from the NCS, including examination results, screening documents, final selection lists and training invitations, to establish whether the exercise complied with constitutional provisions on federal character and equitable representation.

The Chairman of the Commission’s Financial Services Committee, Abdulwasiu Bawa-Allah, disclosed this in Abuja during a press conference

He expressed concern over reports that some candidates who reportedly passed the required examinations, completed screening and documentation, and appeared on the published final list were not invited for training, which commenced on October 9, 2026.

He said some of the affected candidates had allegedly resigned from their jobs, trained replacements and incurred substantial expenses in anticipation of their formal engagement with the service.

According to him, the situation has generated anxiety, allegations of manipulation and concerns over public confidence in the recruitment process.

The commission also faulted the NCS for allegedly conducting the exercise without its monitoring and oversight, despite its constitutional mandate to promote and enforce compliance with the Federal Character Principle in appointments and recruitment across federal institutions.

The NCS, in a statement dated October 19, 2026, titled “Nigeria Customs Reviews Recruitment Complaints, Opens Door for Engagement with Aggrieved Applicants,” acknowledged the complaints and announced plans to engage affected applicants.

However, the FCC said the service’s explanation was unsatisfactory, alleging that its attempts to engage the Comptroller-General of Customs and obtain relevant recruitment records had been ignored or rebuffed.

The commission said it was particularly concerned that it was not invited to monitor the recruitment exercise, while efforts by its Committee on Financial Services to obtain information necessary for its oversight responsibilities were unsuccessful.

It maintained that the FCC was not an advisory body that federal establishments could engage only at their convenience, stressing that its authority was derived from the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and the Federal Character Commission Establishment Act.

According to Bawa-Allah, Paragraph 8 of Part I of the Third Schedule to the Constitution empowers the commission to formulate equitable formulas for distributing public service positions and to promote, monitor and enforce proportional representation.

He added that the commission’s enabling law empowers it to demand employment returns, investigate recruitment exercises and enforce compliance with its guidelines.

Bawa-Allah explained that federal institutions were required to invite the commission to monitor recruitment exercises, adding that successful candidates must be reconciled with the approved distribution formula across the states and the Federal Capital Territory before a Certificate of Compliance is issued.

He said the safeguards were designed to promote merit, fairness, transparency and equal opportunities for qualified Nigerians, irrespective of state of origin, ethnicity, religion, political affiliation or social connections.

He said: “These questions concern constitutional compliance, administrative justice, institutional accountability and protection against arbitrary acts. The Nigeria Customs Service published final recruitment lists for the Superintendent, Inspectorate and Customs Assistant cadres between 28 and 30 July 2026.

“That publication created a legitimate expectation that candidates who met the final disclosed conditions would be treated transparently and notified, with reasons, of any subsequent disqualification.

“Reports that more than 500 candidates may have been excluded while allegedly unlisted persons received training invitations raise serious questions. Some media have reported that the affected candidates formed a group of approximately 500 people who had successfully completed the required stages without receiving invitations for training which begun on 9 October 2026.

“The publication also stated that its attempts to obtain a response from the Nigeria Customs Service were unsuccessful. For clarity, the Commission is not asking that unqualified candidates be recruited. Federal Character does not replace merit.

“It requires suitably qualified candidates from all parts of Nigeria to receive equitable opportunities through transparent, verifiable and nationally inclusive procedures.”

He demanded explanations from the Customs Service on the criteria used to move candidates from the published final list to the training list, the state-by-state and local government distribution of those invited, and whether a valid Certificate of Compliance was obtained before training invitations were issued.

The commission also asked the service to explain why candidates who reportedly passed the examinations and completed the required processes were subsequently excluded without formal explanations.

The FCC specifically demanded that the Nigeria Customs Service: “Immediately suspend the ongoing training exercise. Provide complete recruitment records, including applications, examination results, screening documents, final selections and training invitations, with state-of-origin and local government details.

“Explain the legal and administrative basis for proceeding with the recruitment exercise without the commission’s monitoring and oversight. Produce evidence of any Certificate of Compliance obtained before the release of training invitations.

“Reconcile the published final recruitment list with the list of candidates invited for training. Provide every omitted candidate with a clear written explanation of their status. Cooperate fully with the commission’s Committee on Financial Services and any investigation lawfully instituted by the commission.

“Correct any verified irregularities and ensure that no deserving candidate is displaced through undue influence, unjust substitution, favouritism or administrative manipulation.”

He called on the Customs Service to provide full transparency and maintained that the explanation contained in its October 19 statement was not tenable.

Bawa-Allah stressed that the commission was not demanding the recruitment of unqualified candidates but insisting that suitably qualified applicants from all parts of the country should receive equitable consideration through transparent and verifiable procedures.

He said the commission would invoke its investigative, compliance and enforcement mechanisms under the Constitution, its enabling Act and applicable recruitment guidelines to address any established violations.

The commission also urged affected candidates to remain peaceful and submit their appointment records, details of the published recruitment lists, correspondence, screening documents and other relevant evidence through the appropriate channels.

It assured the applicants that their complaints would be examined on their merits and warned against any attempt to intimidate or victimise those seeking administrative justice.

The FCC said the Federal Character Principle was intended to strengthen national unity by ensuring that federal employment opportunities were distributed equitably rather than reserved for privileged families, influential individuals or favoured sections of the country.

He added, “No public institution is above the Constitution. No Chief Executive may exclude lawful oversight. No qualified Nigerian should lose a legitimate opportunity for lack of political influence or powerful connections.”