1.6 Million Applicants Jostle for FG’s 30,000 Job Slots

More than 1.6 million Nigerians have applied for recruitment into the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services, as the Federal Government moves to fill 30,000 vacancies across the four paramilitary agencies.

The Secretary of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIS), Major General Abdulmalik Jibril (retd.), disclosed this on Thursday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, during the ongoing physical screening exercise for shortlisted candidates.

According to Jibril, only 60,000 applicants were shortlisted from the over 1.6 million applications received, while approximately 30,000 successful candidates will eventually be recruited into the various services.

He explained that the physical screening, which commenced on Monday, is being conducted simultaneously at 14 designated centres across the country to make the exercise more accessible to applicants.

Jibril said the screening exercise is for candidates who successfully participated in the Computer-Based Test conducted in November 2025.

He noted that the exercise involves verification of documents uploaded during the application process as well as physical and medical examinations to determine the suitability of candidates for service.

“The physical screening exercise involves physical checks of applicants’ height, eyes and legs to ensure there is no deformity in the paramilitary services,” he said.

He stressed that the recruitment process would be strictly based on competence and merit to ensure that only qualified candidates are employed.

The Board Secretary also warned applicants against engaging in any form of malpractice, insisting that the recruitment exercise remains completely free of charge.

“I am here in Uyo to witness the continuation of the exercise for the recruitment into the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services. About 60,000 out of over 1.6 million applicants have been shortlisted for the physical screening exercise, and not less than 30,000 will be recruited into the services,” he stated.

Jibril urged applicants to disregard individuals claiming they could influence the recruitment process in exchange for money or favours.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the board to conducting a transparent, credible and fair recruitment exercise capable of producing competent personnel for the nation’s paramilitary agencies.

The ongoing screening marks another critical phase in the federal recruitment process, with successful candidates expected to proceed to the final selection stage before appointments are announced by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board.