The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS for short, is saddled with the responsibility of collecting revenue and restricting every smuggling activity in the country. The NCS is one of the most desired places to work, and even the youths are not left out in this quest.

If you are willing to work with the NCS it is mandatory that you know the function they carry out as an organization. The function of the NCS in the country was established in 1891. The roles they carry out are divided between two groups: the core functions performing group and the other roles performing group.

How To Become A Customs Officer In Nigeria

Requirements Necessary For Applying To The Nigeria Customs Service.  In using the correct approach, the following are required: 

  • Applicant must provide a certificate of origin signed by the Chairman of their Local Government
  • The height of a male applying must not be less than 1.7 metres, while the height of a female applying must not be less than 1.64 metres.
  • A male applicant must have a fully expanded chest of not less than 0.87 metres. 
  • Anyone applying for a job in the customs service must be from financial embarrassment
  • Applicant should have no criminal record from the past. 
How To Become A Customs Officer In Nigeria
How To Become A Customs Officer In Nigeria

It is important you know that the Customs Service has a Superintendent Cadre, an Inspectorate Cadre, and an Assistant Cadre but with varying requirements.

Requirements Necessary For Applying To The Superintendent Cadre In Nigeria Customs Service 

It is mandatory that every applicant should have a Bachelor’s degree or it’s 
equivalent in any of the following disciplines:

  • Sports
  • Stores/Procurement
  • Quantity Survey
  • Nursing
  • Secretarial Studies
  • Nutrition/Dietary
  • Marine
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Communication
  • Health Information Management
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Accounts
  • Actuarial Science
  • Audit
  • Building

In addition, every applicant must be able to provide a certificate to certify that he/she has completed the mandatory one year of service for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

Requirements For Applying To The Inspectorate Cadre In The Nigeria Customs Service  

In applying for the inspectorate cadre, every applicant must have completed Higher National Diploma or its equivalent from any of the following disciplines:

  • Marine
  • Secretarial Studies
  • Medical Laboratory Technology
  • Pharmaceutical Technology
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Health Information Management
  • Health Service Administration
  • Nursing
  • Nutrition/Dietary
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Building
  • Computer/ICT
  • Audit
  • Communications/Camera Handling.Photography
  • Accounts

Requirements For Applying To Assistant Cadre In the Nigeria Customs Service 

Every applicant must have a First School Leaving Certificate and a Junior Secondary School Certificate with other Trade Tests Certificate which includes:

  • Photography
  • Building
  • Driving
  • Health Assistance
  • Sports
  • Stores
  • Tailoring 

The core functions of the NCS include:

  • Revenue compilation
  • Restricting smuggling
  • Carrying out anti-smuggling activities 
  • Customs approval
  • Accounting revenue

Qualities An Aspiring Customs Officer Must Possess

Detecting suspicious individuals, and total understanding of all the important policies and laws that are related to the customs. These personal qualities are needed more than professional qualities since they deal with travelers who are likely to be stressed or maybe smuggling illegal substances. Emotional maturity, truthfulness, and self-assurance should not also be missed out in dealing with them. In conclusion, a customs officer has to be likable enough to put the travelers at ease while being firm. The professional traits include problem-solving skills and a logical understanding of human behavior which is often improved during their training.  
 The other functions of the NCS include:

  • Collecting levies
  • Collecting charges
  • Implementing the fiscal policies and goals that the government has set up
  • Predicting future revenue aimed at developing the country by gathering statistics 
  • Fighting against illegal trade
  • Fighting against the importation and exportation of substances that could be toxic

The NCS presently boasts of over 10,000 personnel across border regions within Nigeria, but despite the staff mass, the NCS still does recruitment every year to replace the retired workers and the deceased members of the organization. The need for more workers is also backed up by the fact that there is an increasing border activity around the country yearly. 

How To Join The Customs Service

Visit the official portal when it is open and complete your application form. Print out every important document and take note of the examination date. 
The prerequisites required from every applicant before applying are:

  • Every applicant must have a functioning email address
  • Every applicant should have an active phone number
  • All information filled on the application form must tally with the ones on the documents
  • Proper precautions should be taken to avoid errors

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