The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is set to lose 1,516 officers across the country over the next two years following the release of statutory retirement lists covering 825 personnel in 2026 and another 691 in 2027.
The retirement notices were contained in two restricted circulars issued by the Human Resource and Development Department and signed by Comptroller, Establishment, A.A. Bazuaye, on behalf of the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Human Resources and Development.
According to the documents, officers from the rank of Deputy Comptroller-General down to Customs Assistant II will leave the service in line with existing public service regulations.
Circular No. HRD/2025/048 dated September 19, 2025, listed 825 officers due for retirement in 2026. The breakdown shows that the Deputy Superintendent of Customs cadre accounts for the highest number with 285 officers, followed by the Superintendent of Customs cadre with 226.
Other categories affected include:
- Assistant Superintendent of Customs I – 64 officers
- Chief Customs Officer – 53 officers
- Deputy Customs Officer – 51 officers
- Assistant Customs Officer – 46 officers
- Chief Superintendent of Customs – 61 officers
- Inspector of Customs – eight officers
- Assistant Superintendent of Customs II – 10 officers
- Customs Assistant I – one officer
- Customs Assistant II – two officers
- Assistant Comptroller-General – 13 officers
- Deputy Comptroller-General – five officers
A second circular, No. HRD/2026/020 dated May 26, 2026, contained a draft list of 691 officers expected to retire in 2027.
The Superintendent of Customs cadre recorded the highest number with 200 officers, followed by Deputy Superintendent of Customs with 193 officers. Other affected ranks include:
- Deputy Customs Officer – 81 officers
- Chief Superintendent of Customs – 68 officers
- Assistant Customs Officer – 57 officers
- Assistant Superintendent of Customs I – 39 officers
- Chief Customs Officer – 38 officers
- Assistant Superintendent of Customs II – four officers
- Customs Assistant I – four officers
- Customs Assistant II – four officers
- Inspector of Customs – two officers
- Assistant Comptroller-General – four officers
The circulars directed all affected officers to proceed on compulsory pre-retirement leave three months before their official retirement dates, in line with Public Service Rule 100238 and Federal Government Circular No. 63216/S.I/X/T; CR 1/2001/5 of March 20, 2001.
The directives stated that affected personnel must disengage from active service and forward their three-month retirement notices to the Comptroller-General of Customs.
The 2027 circular also allowed room for complaints and corrections, instructing officers with errors or omissions in the list to submit observations to the office of the Deputy Comptroller-General (HRD) on or before July 31, 2026.
Zonal Coordinators, Area Controllers and Unit Heads were directed to ensure the lists reach all concerned officers.
Among the Deputy Comptrollers-General affected are:
- Omale (SVC No. 41148), who retired on June 7, 2026
- Nnadi (SVC No. 43193), retired on March 3, 2026
- Chiroma (SVC No. 42988), due to retire on September 23, 2026
- Adeola MRS (SVC No. 42972), scheduled for December 23, 2026
- Niagwan (SVC No. 41524), also retiring on December 23, 2026
Several Assistant Comptrollers-General are also on the list, including Egwuh, Umoh, Mohammed, Abe, Olomu, Olaniyan, Yusuf, Oladeji, Gaji, Adebakin, Bomodi, Nyam and Abubakar.
Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise, Abejide Leke Joseph, dismissed claims that the retirements were tied to reports surrounding the appointment of a new Comptroller-General of Customs.
According to him, retirement after attaining 60 years of age or completing 35 years in service is backed by law and not designed to create vacancies for any individual.
He attributed the large number of exits to a prolonged 16-year recruitment gap and stagnation in promotions, which resulted in officers with service numbers in the 41000, 42000 and 43000 categories rising through the ranks almost simultaneously.
Abejide noted that the development created a top-heavy structure, leading many officers to reach retirement age and service limits around the same period.
President Bola Tinubu recently approved a final six-month extension for Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi, allowing him to remain in office until February 2027.
According to presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the extension will enable Adeniyi to complete key reforms, including the implementation of the National Single Window initiative and ensure an orderly transition within the service.
During the transition period, Adeniyi and the Nigeria Customs Service Board are expected to oversee promotions to the rank of Comptroller and enforce the compulsory retirement of officers who have either attained 60 years of age or completed 35 years in service.
The six-month extension is expected to provide continuity for ongoing reforms while paving the way for a smooth leadership succession in the Nigeria Customs Service.
