The Federal Character Commission (FCC) has called for the immediate suspension of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) recruitment training exercise following allegations of irregularities and non-compliance with federal character requirements.
The commission raised concerns over reports that hundreds of applicants whose names appeared on published recruitment lists were subsequently excluded from training despite completing the required screening, documentation and medical examinations.
Chairman of the FCC Committee on Financial Services, Abdulwasiu Bawa-Allah, made the demand during a news conference in Abuja on Thursday.
He said the circumstances surrounding the exercise required an investigation to establish whether recruitment procedures had been followed.
FCC Questions Exclusion of Customs Recruitment Candidates
Bawa-Allah expressed concern that applicants who had successfully passed through several stages of the recruitment process were reportedly not invited to begin training.
According to him, some affected candidates had already made significant personal and financial commitments after seeing their names on the published selection lists.
He said some resigned from their previous jobs, arranged for replacements at work and spent money preparing for their anticipated employment.
The commission maintained that such applicants deserved clear explanations if their recruitment status had changed after completing the required procedures.
Bawa-Allah warned that the controversy had created uncertainty among candidates and raised questions about public confidence in the exercise.
Over 500 Applicants Allegedly Affected
The FCC official said reports suggested that more than 500 candidates might have been excluded from training despite appearing on the recruitment lists.
He also raised allegations that some individuals whose names were not on the published lists had received invitations to training.
However, the commission did not present a verified final number of affected candidates at the news conference, according to the account provided.
Bawa-Allah said the claims should be investigated through a comparison of the published recruitment lists and the records of candidates invited for training.
He stressed that the commission was not demanding automatic employment for every applicant who appeared on a list.
Rather, he said the objective was to ensure that qualified candidates were treated fairly and that recruitment decisions could be properly explained.
Commission Says Customs Recruitment Lacked Required Oversight
Another major concern raised by the FCC was its alleged exclusion from monitoring the recruitment process.
Bawa-Allah said the commission had not been invited to participate in the exercise despite its constitutional responsibilities concerning equitable representation in federal appointments.
He alleged that attempts to communicate the commission’s concerns to the Nigeria Customs Service had not received an adequate response.
According to him, federal institutions are expected to comply with applicable recruitment procedures and cooperate with the commission’s oversight activities.
The FCC official maintained that the commission’s responsibilities extended beyond providing recommendations, as it also had a mandate to monitor and enforce federal character principles.
FCC Cites Constitutional Powers
Bawa-Allah referred to Paragraph 8(1), Part I, Section C of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution, as amended, in explaining the commission’s authority.
He said the provision empowered the FCC to promote equitable representation and monitor compliance with federal character requirements in public service appointments.
According to him, recruitment procedures should provide opportunities for oversight and ensure that successful candidates are considered in accordance with applicable distribution formulas.
He also highlighted the importance of obtaining a Certificate of Compliance where required.
Bawa-Allah argued that the safeguards were intended to protect transparency, merit and fair representation across Nigeria’s states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Customs Earlier Acknowledged Recruitment Complaints
The FCC official referred to an October 19 statement by the Nigeria Customs Service concerning complaints from applicants.
The statement, titled *Nigeria Customs Reviews Recruitment Complaints, Opens Doors for Engagement with Aggrieved Applicants*, reportedly acknowledged concerns about the exercise and indicated a willingness to engage affected candidates.
However, Bawa-Allah said the response did not adequately resolve the questions raised by the commission.
He maintained that the central issues remained the alleged exclusion of shortlisted applicants, the invitation of allegedly unlisted candidates and the commission’s reported absence from recruitment monitoring.
The Customs Service’s October 19 response should be considered alongside the FCC’s allegations while the facts are being reviewed.
FCC Demands Recruitment Records and Compliance Documents
Bawa-Allah called on the Comptroller-General of Customs and the service’s management to suspend the training exercise pending a review.
He asked the NCS to provide recruitment records and evidence of compliance with applicable federal character requirements.
The commission also requested a reconciliation of the published final lists with the names of candidates invited to training.
According to the FCC official, the review should establish whether any irregularities occurred and identify appropriate corrective measures.
He urged the Customs Service to cooperate with the commission’s Committee on Financial Services and any investigation conducted under the relevant laws.
Commission Threatens Enforcement Action
Bawa-Allah said the FCC was prepared to use its constitutional and statutory powers to address verified violations.
He referred to the Federal Character Commission Establishment Act and applicable recruitment guidelines as part of the legal framework governing the commission’s intervention.
The FCC official maintained that fair recruitment should combine merit with equitable opportunities for suitably qualified applicants from different parts of the country.
He said the commission would continue to pursue transparency and accountability in federal recruitment exercises.
The latest development has placed the Customs recruitment process under renewed scrutiny, with attention now focused on whether the service will provide the requested records and respond to the demand for suspension.
The FCC’s announcement represents a call for the exercise to be halted; it does not, by itself, establish that Customs has suspended recruitment or that the allegations have been proven.
