Youth Group Demands Full Probe and Public State-by-State List Over Alleged Recruitment Bias

Growing dissatisfaction surrounding the outcome of the recent Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) hiring exercise has triggered calls for a top-to-bottom investigation into how final candidates were chosen.

The controversy deepened after the Northern Youth Assembly (NYA) formally submitted a petition calling on the Federal Character Commission (FCC) to step in and audit the recruitment process, citing mounting allegations of regional imbalance and constitutional breaches.

In a statement signed by NYA National Secretary Dr. Abdulhafiz Garba, the youth body disclosed that it has been inundated with complaints from job seekers and civic groups who believe the outcome failed to reflect the Federal Character Principle—a constitutional safeguard designed to guarantee equal job distribution across all states.

The assembly clarified that its petition was not prompted by narrow political or tribal motives, but by a necessity to defend the rule of law and protect public trust in national recruitment processes.

“As a youth-driven organisation committed to justice, equity, and national cohesion, we believe that every federal recruitment must strictly uphold the principles of national character, fairness, transparency and inclusiveness as enshrined in the Constitution,” the NYA declared. “Whether these concerns are validated or not, they deserve careful attention and response.”

To resolve the controversy, the NYA outlined two primary demands: an immediate, independent audit by the Federal Character Commission to determine if constitutional guidelines were followed, and the immediate publication of the full recruitment list categorized by state and geopolitical zone. The group insisted that if discrepancies are discovered, authorities must take swift corrective measures.

As millions of young Nigerians closely monitor the outcome, pressure is now on both the Federal Character Commission and the Nigeria Customs Service to address the allegations, demonstrate full transparency, and ensure that public service opportunities remain fair and accessible to all citizens.