Abuja Network News
The Majority Leader of the Kano State House of Assembly, Hon. Lawan Hussaini Dala, has raised alarm over what he described as gross injustice and imbalance in the ongoing recruitment exercise by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), alleging that the process favours the southern part of the country, particularly Lagos and other South-West states, at the expense of the North.
Speaking during plenary in Kano, Dala disclosed that Lagos State alone reportedly got 207 recruitment slots, while Ogun received 145, Ondo 132, Osun 127, Oyo 108, and Ekiti 93, bringing the South-West total to 812 slots—more than half of the 1,785 total slots said to be available nationwide. In contrast, the entire North-West region reportedly received only 7 percent of the total allocation.
For instance, Kano State got 31 slots, Katsina 20, Jigawa 18, and Zamfara 16, leaving the total northern allocation at about 651 slots. Dala described this as a clear violation of the Federal Character principle, which mandates equitable representation of all regions in federal employment and appointments.
“The imbalance in this Customs recruitment is alarming. The process has been skewed to favour the southern part of the country, especially the South-West. The north has been grossly marginalised,” Dala declared on the floor of the Assembly.
Following his remarks, the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly directed the Committee on Public Service and Employment to investigate the recruitment figures and report back for further legislative action, emphasizing that fairness and justice must guide all federal recruitment processes.
Customs Service Denies Bias Allegation
In response to the widespread criticisms, the Nigeria Customs Service issued a statement explaining that the recruitment process was transparent, fair, and in accordance with the Federal Character principle.
The Service noted that it received a total of 573,523 applications across its Superintendent, Inspectorate, and Customs Assistant cadres after the recruitment advertisement on December 27, 2024. Out of this number, 286,697 applicants were shortlisted for the first phase of the Computer-Based Test (CBT).
According to the NCS:
“While candidates from all cadres participated in the initial CBT, only successful applicants under the Superintendent Cadre were invited to proceed to the second phase of the exercise. These stages are being conducted across designated centres within the six geopolitical zones, aligning with candidates’ states of origin and in line with the Service’s commitment to Federal Character.”
The NCS also dismissed as fake a purported final recruitment list circulating online, clarifying that it did not originate from the Service or any of its authorised communication channels. The agency urged the public, especially applicants, to disregard the false list and assured that the final selection process remains transparent and merit-based.
“The Service is committed to a free, fair, and credible selection process consistent with global best practices and in line with the principle of Federal Character,” the statement concluded.
Questions Raised by Lawmakers and Observers
The Kano Assembly’s intervention has ignited national discussions about fairness, transparency, and regional equity in federal recruitment exercises. Several critical questions now emerge:
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Are the figures cited by the Kano Assembly officially verified by the NCS?
The Customs Service has yet to confirm the specific state-by-state breakdown presented by Dala. -
What is the actual breakdown of slots by geopolitical zone or state?
Nigerians await a comprehensive list from the NCS to clarify the true distribution. -
What criteria guided the slot allocations?
Was it based on population, applications per state, or another metric? -
Will the House Committee’s investigation lead to corrective measures?
The outcome of the Kano Assembly’s investigation may determine whether the NCS adjusts its recruitment formula. -
How will the NCS respond if the imbalance allegations are proven true?
Public expectations are high that any confirmed disparities would be promptly addressed. -
What implications might this controversy have for public trust and future federal recruitments?
Transparency in such exercises is crucial to sustaining unity and confidence in national institutions.
Growing Northern Discontent
Analysts note that the recruitment controversy has deepened regional discontent, especially in northern states already battling unemployment and insecurity. Some lawmakers warn that the perception of southern favoritism could fuel resentment and distrust in federal institutions.
Observers also argue that while the Customs Service may have followed technical processes, failure to communicate transparently about allocation criteria has worsened suspicion and public outrage.
The Kano Assembly’s resolution marks the first legislative action from a northern state against the recruitment imbalance, but there are indications that other northern assemblies may take similar steps if clarifications are not provided soon.
Conclusion
The unfolding Customs recruitment saga underscores Nigeria’s enduring struggle to balance equity, federal character, and meritocracy in public service employment. As the investigation by the Kano Assembly progresses, citizens across the federation are watching closely to see whether fairness will ultimately prevail—or whether another recruitment exercise will join the growing list of controversies testing national cohesion.
Until clear answers emerge from the NCS and the investigative committee, questions of justice, inclusion, and transparency will continue to hover over this recruitment process.