A public affairs analyst, Alhaji Lawal Ibrahim, has called on the Federal Character Commission (FCC) to urgently investigate the recently released shortlist for the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) 2025 Superintendent Cadre recruitment exercise over alleged regional imbalance.
According to Ibrahim, data from the shortlist reveals that out of 1,785 candidates selected for the final Computer-Based Test (CBT), 812 — representing about 45.5 per cent — are from the South West geopolitical zone.
He said this development has raised public concerns about fairness, inclusivity, and compliance with the federal character principle in federal recruitment exercises.
Zonal Breakdown Raises Eyebrows
An analysis of the shortlist shows the following distribution by geopolitical zone:
South West – 812 (45.5%)
North Central – 353 (19.8%)
South South – 177 (9.9%)
South East – 117 (6.6%)
North West – 110 (6.2%)
North East – 98 (5.5%)
While acknowledging that the South West may have benefited from higher literacy rates, better digital infrastructure, and more tertiary institutions, Ibrahim stressed that such disparity in a federal recruitment process undermines the spirit of national equity.
“Process May Be Technically Fair but Socially Unjust”
“The current shortlist may have followed a merit-based process, but such regional dominance risks eroding public trust,” he said.
Ibrahim also questioned whether the recruitment was influenced by political affiliations, regional convenience, or systemic barriers that limited access for candidates from other parts of the country.
Calls for Transparency and Reforms
He urged the Nigeria Customs Service to release detailed data on application numbers and shortlisting per state to improve transparency.
He further called on the FCC to actively monitor the recruitment process and ensure that federal appointments reflect Nigeria’s diversity.
“There should be a national conversation on how to balance merit and fairness. When nearly half of the shortlisted candidates come from one zone, other regions will feel excluded,” he added.
Ibrahim recommended the expansion of CBT centers across the country, improved internet access in underserved regions, and the involvement of civil society and the National Assembly in overseeing federal recruitment.
Demand for Immediate Action
Although the recruitment is ongoing, Ibrahim urged the FCC to intervene before final appointments are made to correct the perceived imbalance.
He also called on State Governors, National Assembly Members, and other stakeholders to take proactive steps to ensure fairness in the process.
“If this pattern continues, it could worsen the sense of exclusion felt by youths in the North and other underserved regions,” he warned.
Ibrahim stressed that fairness and equity are essential for sustaining national unity and development.
“The Nigeria Customs Service stands for ‘Justice and Honesty,’ while the FCC’s motto is ‘Equity and Fairness.’ These must go beyond slogans and reflect in actual recruitment practices,” he concluded.
