The Federal Government has announced a temporary suspension of the ongoing recruitment process into Nigeria’s paramilitary agencies. The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board, also known as CDCFIB, made the announcement in a public notice signed by the Secretary to the Board, retired Major General AM Jibril. The notice was dated July 16, 2025. According to the Board, the suspension will last until Monday, July 21, 2025, when the recruitment portal will officially reopen to applicants across the country.
The CDCFIB stated that the decision to temporarily suspend the application portal was necessary to optimize the efficiency of the recruitment process. The portal, which can be accessed via https://recruitment.cdcfib.gov.ng, has been facing difficulties due to the high volume of applications since it opened. Many applicants have complained about access errors, portal crashes, and other technical challenges since the recruitment exercise was announced.
In the official statement, the CDCFIB explained that the temporary suspension was to enable the board to upgrade the system, ensuring it can handle the large number of applications expected from Nigerian youths eager to join the paramilitary services. “This development will ensure that the portal accommodates the high volume of applications while guaranteeing a smooth, transparent, and fair recruitment process,” the statement read. The Board appreciated the increasing enthusiasm shown by young Nigerians who are willing to serve their country through the paramilitary agencies.
The CDCFIB is responsible for the recruitment into several key paramilitary agencies in Nigeria. These include the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), and the Federal Fire Service (FFS). The recruitment process had initially been scheduled to start on June 26, 2025, but was postponed to July 14 following system overload issues. However, with the portal still facing access problems, the board decided to suspend it again temporarily to carry out necessary system upgrades.
The recruitment exercise covers three main cadres. These are the General Duty (Superintendent) cadre, the Inspectorate cadre, and the Assistant cadre. Interested applicants can apply based on their academic qualifications, which range from the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) to university degrees and professional certifications. This broad qualification range ensures that many Nigerians across different educational levels have the opportunity to apply.
There are strict criteria that applicants must meet to be considered for recruitment. First, all applicants must be Nigerian by birth. They must also fall within the age bracket of 18 to 35 years. Additionally, there are physical requirements that candidates must satisfy. Male applicants must have a minimum height of 1.65 meters, while female applicants must be at least 1.60 meters tall. For men, there is also a minimum chest measurement requirement. Any applicant with a criminal record or a history of financial misconduct will be automatically disqualified from the process. Furthermore, all applicants are required to present medical fitness certificates issued by recognized government hospitals to prove they are medically fit for service.
The CDCFIB emphasized that the recruitment exercise would be fair and transparent. The board warned applicants to be cautious of fraudsters and fake agents who may claim to have influence in the recruitment process. It stated clearly that successful candidates would be contacted directly by the board. The CDCFIB assured the public that no third party has been authorized to reach out to applicants on its behalf. The board also urged applicants to rely solely on official communications from the portal or the board itself to avoid being duped.
The temporary suspension has been seen by many observers as a necessary step to ensure the integrity of the recruitment process, especially given the high level of unemployment in the country, which often leads to a flood of applications for any government job opening. With the portal set to reopen on July 21, 2025, applicants have been advised to prepare their documents and meet all the stipulated requirements to avoid disqualification.
The CDCFIB’s recruitment portal remains the official channel for all application submissions. As the new date approaches, many Nigerians are hopeful that the technical issues would have been resolved to allow a seamless and transparent recruitment exercise that will strengthen the nation’s paramilitary agencies.
