ABUJA — Candidates who participated in the latest recruitment exercise for Nigeria’s major paramilitary agencies are set to enter the final stage of the selection process, with the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) announcing dates for applicants to confirm their shortlisting for oral interviews.
The development affects applicants seeking positions in the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) and Federal Fire Service (FFS). The board said it has completed its assessment and shortlisting process following the physical and medical screening exercise conducted for the 2024/2025 recruitment programme.
For applicants in the Graduate Category, the designated window to check their recruitment status will run from Monday, August 31, to Wednesday, September 2, 2026. Candidates in this category are expected to use the official CDCFIB recruitment portal to determine whether they have progressed to the oral interview stage.
Applicants who entered the recruitment process with NCE, OND or SSCE qualifications will have a separate opportunity to check their status. Their verification window is scheduled for Monday, September 7, through Wednesday, September 9, 2026, according to the board’s latest announcement.
The CDCFIB said candidates who make the final shortlist will have additional steps to complete through the recruitment portal. Successful applicants will be expected to select an interview venue that is convenient for them, choose an available date and time, and print the invitation letter required for attendance.
The board also stressed that shortlisted applicants must follow the instructions contained in their invitation letters, including the specified dress code. Access to the oral interview venue will be restricted to candidates who have been officially shortlisted for the final exercise.
The latest announcement is particularly significant for applicants who have already completed the earlier screening stages and have been waiting for confirmation of the next phase. The board’s decision to publish separate verification periods based on qualification categories provides candidates with a clearer timeline for determining their status.
CDCFIB has also issued a strong warning against recruitment fraud. The board reiterated that participation in the recruitment exercise is free of charge and applicants should not pay individuals or groups who claim they can secure employment or influence the outcome of the process.
Candidates who encounter demands for money in connection with the recruitment exercise have been advised to report such individuals to the appropriate security authorities or other relevant officials.
Another key clarification from the board concerns the method through which applicants should receive information. CDCFIB said it does not send recruitment notifications through email and directed candidates to obtain legitimate updates through its official recruitment portal and recognised communication channels.
Applicants are therefore being urged to exercise caution as the shortlisting period approaches, particularly because recruitment exercises of this scale can attract fraudulent messages and unofficial claims about successful candidates.
The four agencies covered by the exercise play major roles in Nigeria’s internal security, border management, correctional services, emergency response and civil protection. The recruitment process has therefore attracted significant interest from applicants across the country seeking opportunities within the federal paramilitary services.
Candidates should ensure that they use the official CDCFIB recruitment platform when checking their status and should carefully review any instructions displayed after accessing their records.
The board’s latest announcement does not mean that every applicant who participated in the earlier screening has progressed to the final stage. Only candidates whose names appear on the official shortlist will be permitted to proceed with the oral interview process and access the designated interview venues.
The oral interview represents the final assessment stage identified by the board for candidates who successfully pass through the preceding recruitment requirements. Applicants who reach this point will consequently need to follow the venue, date, time and documentation instructions issued to them through the official platform.
The CDCFIB has continued to emphasise the need for applicants to rely on official information rather than messages circulating through unofficial channels. With the first category scheduled to begin checking its status on August 31, candidates are expected to monitor the portal closely during their respective windows.
The recruitment exercise covers vacancies across the NSCDC, NIS, NCoS and FFS, making the latest shortlisting announcement an important development for thousands of applicants who have been awaiting the outcome of the screening process.
For the Graduate Category, candidates should check the portal between August 31 and September 2. Those with NCE, OND or SSCE qualifications should wait for their designated window between September 7 and September 9.
CDCFIB’s message is clear: candidates should verify their status through the official platform, follow the instructions attached to any successful application, avoid anyone demanding payment and treat unofficial recruitment communications with caution.
The board is expected to provide further details to shortlisted candidates through the recruitment platform as the oral interview stage progresses.
CDCFIB Opens Final Shortlisting Stage for 2024/2025 Paramilitary Recruitment
