Nigeria Customs Recruitment Under Fire: HURIWA Alleges Secrecy and Federal Character Violations

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has launched a scathing critique against the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), accusing the agency of conducting its ongoing 2025 recruitment exercise under a veil of secrecy. In a strongly-worded press conference held in Abuja, the rights group demanded immediate transparency in the selection process, warning that the current opaque approach threatens national unity and violates constitutional principles.

Beyond the recruitment controversy, HURIWA expanded its criticism to what it described as a broader pattern of “systemic marginalisation and exclusion” of the Igbo ethnic group from key federal appointments and national structures under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The allegations strike at the heart of Nigeria’s delicate ethnic balance and raise serious questions about governance equity.

The Recruitment Controversy: Calls for Transparency Grow Louder

Emmanuel Onwubiko, National Coordinator of HURIWA, challenged the Customs Service to immediately publish the full list of candidates who participated in the recently concluded Computer-Based Test (CBT), complete with their scores and states of origin. He argued that the agency’s refusal to release such fundamental information undermines the principles of fairness and federal character as explicitly guaranteed by Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.

“If the list currently circulating online is fake, where then is the authentic version?” Onwubiko questioned journalists during the Tuesday briefing. “Nigerians deserve to know the truth. Those who sat for the recruitment examination have a right to see their results and how they were evaluated. Anything short of transparency and accountability in this process is unacceptable.”

The rights group revealed it had received numerous complaints from candidates and concerned citizens regarding a purported state-by-state shortlist circulating online that appears to disproportionately favour certain geographical regions. HURIWA maintained that the NCS cannot simply dismiss the viral list as fabricated without providing the authentic version for public scrutiny.

Constitutional Implications and Public Trust

HURIWA emphasized that employment into any federal agency must reflect both the spirit and letter of the Federal Character principle, which aims to ensure that appointments to public service institutions fairly reflect the linguistic, ethnic, religious, and geographic diversity of the country. The group warned that the culture of secrecy and perceived favouritism in recruitment processes has bred resentment, inequality, and deep-seated distrust among citizens.

“Opacity in recruitment is not just a bureaucratic flaw; it is a constitutional infraction,” Onwubiko stated unequivocally. “The Customs Service cannot be funded by taxpayers from all parts of the country yet conduct its employment exercises like a private estate.”

The controversy comes at a time when Nigeria faces significant unemployment challenges, with public sector jobs representing highly sought-after opportunities for millions of qualified graduates. The perception of biased recruitment processes can potentially exacerbate existing ethnic tensions and undermine national cohesion.

Broader Patterns of Marginalisation Alleged

Beyond the immediate recruitment concerns, HURIWA leveled serious allegations against the Tinubu administration, accusing it of perpetuating what the group termed “systematic political and economic marginalisation” of the Igbo ethnic group and the South-East region broadly.

The association claimed that key appointments in security, revenue, and economic institutions have consistently excluded qualified Igbo officers, while strategic tenure extensions have been used to block their career progression. This pattern, if substantiated, would represent a significant departure from the constitutional requirement for equitable representation in federal appointments.

Case Studies: Customs and Police Tenure Extensions

HURIWA specifically cited the recent one-year extension granted to Bashir Adeniyi, Comptroller-General of Customs, alleging that an Igbo senior officer due for promotion was effectively sidelined through this administrative maneuver. The group claimed similar extensions have occurred within the Nigeria Police Force, deliberately preventing eligible Igbo officers from assuming leadership roles that would otherwise be available to them.

“These acts clearly violate the spirit of the Federal Character principle and sustain a culture of ethnic preference in governance,” HURIWA asserted in its statement.

The implications of such practices, if proven accurate, extend beyond individual career frustrations to potentially creating institutional imbalances that could affect operational effectiveness and national security coordination across different regions.

Selective Justice and Security Disparities

Onwubiko further condemned what he characterized as “selective justice” in the Federal Government’s handling of national security issues. He noted the apparent contradiction in the government’s approach to different regional security challenges, particularly comparing the treatment of individuals from different ethnic backgrounds.

“President Tinubu’s government continues to negotiate with terrorists in the North-West and release insurgents in the North-East, yet Nnamdi Kanu, whose alleged offences are political and non-violent, remains in custody,” Onwubiko observed. “This is a glaring double standard that must end.”

The reference to Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding separatist movements in the South-East and the government’s response to them. The comparison with rehabilitated insurgents from other regions raises complex questions about consistency in the application of justice and security policies.

Economic Dimensions: Property Demolitions and Infrastructure Neglect

The allegations extended beyond political appointments to economic matters, with HURIWA accusing both Federal and Lagos State governments of economic victimization against the Igbo community. The group specifically referenced the continued demolition of properties belonging to Igbo traders and landlords in Lagos, describing these actions as “an orchestrated attempt to weaken the region’s entrepreneurial strength.”

These claims touch upon long-standing tensions regarding property ownership and economic competition in Nigeria’s commercial capital. HURIWA called for an independent probe into all such demolition exercises to determine their legality and potential discriminatory impact.

Additionally, the rights group lamented the apparent neglect of federal infrastructure in the South-East, particularly the poor condition of major roads and the absence of significant new projects since 2023. They accused the government of allowing insecurity to persist in the region, thereby crippling commerce and discouraging investment in an area historically known for its entrepreneurial drive.

“These manifestations of systemic bias are not accidental,” HURIWA asserted. “They represent a calculated effort to keep the South-East politically weakened, economically disadvantaged, and perpetually insecure.”

Demands for Accountability and Structural Reform

In response to these multifaceted concerns, HURIWA presented a series of concrete demands aimed at addressing the perceived imbalances and restoring public confidence in national institutions.

The group called for the immediate publication of a comprehensive geo-political breakdown of all federal appointments, promotions, and tenure extensions made under the Tinubu administration. This transparency measure would allow for independent verification of compliance with Federal Character principles.

Additionally, HURIWA demanded a judicial inquiry into the Lagos property demolitions and an end to arbitrary tenure extensions in security and paramilitary agencies that potentially circumvent normal promotion procedures.

Proposed Solution: National Commission on Inclusion and Equity

Looking beyond immediate grievances, HURIWA proposed the establishment of a National Commission on Inclusion and Equity to systematically monitor compliance with the Federal Character principle. Such a body would ensure fair representation in public service, infrastructure distribution, and access to economic opportunities across all regions.

This institutional approach recognizes that addressing systemic imbalances requires more than ad-hoc responses—it demands structural mechanisms capable of providing ongoing oversight and accountability.

National Unity at Stake

Reaffirming its commitment to Nigeria’s unity based on justice and the rule of law, HURIWA warned that the continuous marginalization of any region poses a serious threat to national cohesion. The group emphasized that sustainable unity cannot be built on perceived injustice or systematic exclusion.

“President Tinubu must realise that no region can be perpetually subjugated,” Onwubiko stated. “The Igbo have contributed immensely to Nigeria’s development and deserve fairness, not tokenism.”

As these allegations reverberate through Nigeria’s political landscape, they highlight the ongoing challenges of managing the country’s remarkable diversity while maintaining national unity. The response from the Nigeria Customs Service and the Federal Government to these serious claims will be closely watched by observers across the nation and beyond.

The coming days may prove critical in determining whether these concerns will be addressed through transparent dialogue and corrective measures, or whether they will further deepen existing divisions in Africa’s most populous nation.

Full credit to the original publisher: Business Day Nigeria – https://businessday.ng/news/article/customs-recruitment-huriwa-warns-against-federal-character-violations/