The Federal Character Commission has asked the Nigeria Customs Service to suspend its ongoing recruitment training over alleged breaches of federal character requirements and the exclusion of candidates whose names appeared on the published final list.
The commission also demanded complete recruitment records, evidence of compliance with federal character requirements and written explanations for candidates who were omitted from the training exercise.
The demands were contained in a statement made available to PUNCH Online on Friday and signed by the Chairman of the commission’s Committee on Financial Services, Abdulwasiu K. Bawa-Allah.
The commission said it was concerned about reports that hundreds of candidates who completed the required screening, documentation and medical processes were not invited for training, while others whose names allegedly did not appear on the published final list received invitations.
It said the development had generated anxiety, allegations of manipulation and a crisis of public confidence, adding that some affected candidates reportedly resigned from their jobs, trained replacements and incurred substantial expenses in anticipation of their formal engagement.
The commission faulted the Customs Service for allegedly conducting the recruitment exercise without its monitoring and oversight, despite repeated efforts to obtain information about the process.
“The constitutionally mandated institution (FCC) to monitor and ascertain its claims was not invited to monitor the exercise,” the statement said.
It added that efforts by the commission to engage the Customs Service had been rebuffed or ignored by the Comptroller-General of Customs.
The commission said its oversight role was backed by the 1999 Constitution and the Federal Character Commission Establishment Act, which empower it to monitor and enforce compliance with the federal character principle in recruitment and appointments across federal institutions.
It argued that its involvement was necessary to ensure that recruitment exercises were transparent and that opportunities were distributed equitably among qualified Nigerians.
“The Federal Character Commission is not an advisory body that federal establishments may recognize only when convenient,” the statement said.
According to the commission, its procedures require federal institutions to invite it to monitor recruitment exercises and reconcile successful candidates with the approved distribution formula for all states and the Federal Capital Territory before a certificate of compliance is issued.
“These safeguards protect merit, equity, transparency and every qualified Nigerian’s right to fair consideration, regardless of state of origin, ethnicity, religion, political affiliation or social connection,” it said.
The commission questioned why the Customs Service proceeded with the exercise without its participation and whether a valid certificate of compliance had been obtained before training invitations were issued.
It also sought clarification on the criteria used to move candidates from the published final list to the training list, asking whether applicants who had completed the required stages were subsequently excluded without formal explanations.
The statement said the Customs Service published final recruitment lists for the Superintendent, Inspectorate and Customs Assistant cadres between July 28 and 30, 2026.
The commission argued that the publication created a legitimate expectation that candidates who met the disclosed requirements would be treated transparently and given reasons for any subsequent disqualification.
It cited reports that more than 500 candidates may have been excluded from training, which reportedly began on October 9, despite having completed the required stages of recruitment.
However, the commission said its intervention was not a demand for the employment of unqualified candidates, but for a process that combined merit with equitable representation.
“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,” the statement said.
The commission consequently demanded that the Customs Service immediately suspend the training exercise and provide complete recruitment records, including applications, examination results, screening records, final selections and training invitations, with state-of-origin and local government data.
It also asked the service to produce evidence of any certificate of compliance obtained before training invitations were issued and reconcile the published final list with the list of candidates invited for training.
The commission further demanded that every omitted candidate receive a written explanation of their status and urged the Customs Service to cooperate with its Committee on Financial Services and any investigation lawfully instituted.
Warning that it could invoke its statutory powers, the commission said compliance with constitutional safeguards was mandatory for federal institutions.
“The Commission will invoke the investigative, compliance and enforcement mechanisms available under the Constitution, the Federal Character Commission Establishment Act and applicable recruitment guidelines.
“Compliance with constitutional safeguards is an obligation, not an act of institutional courtesy,” it said.
The commission also urged affected candidates to remain peaceful and submit their appointment records, published-list details, correspondence and screening documents through the appropriate channels.
It said every complaint would be examined on its merits and warned against intimidating or victimising applicants seeking administrative justice.
Reiterating its position, the commission said federal recruitment opportunities should not be determined by personal connections or political influence.
“The Federal Character Principle strengthens national unity by assuring Nigerians that federal opportunities do not belong to privileged families, influential personalities or favoured sections of the country. They belong equitably to the Nigerian people.
“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,” the statement said.
When contacted for reaction, the Nigeria Customs Service spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, could not be reached for comment as of the time of filing this report.