The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is set to experience a substantial loss of personnel, with 1,516 officers scheduled for retirement over the next two years as per two statutory retirement circulars from the organization’s Human Resource and Development Department. The first circular, Circular No. HRD/2025/048, dated September 19, 2025, outlines the retirement of 825 officers in 2026, comprising various cadres. The highest number of retirees will be from the Deputy Superintendent of Customs (285 officers) and Superintendent of Customs (226 officers). Other ranks affected include Assistant Superintendent of Customs I (64), Chief Customs Officer (53), and several others, down to just a few Customs Assistants.

A subsequent circular, Circular No. HRD/2026/020, released on May 26, 2026, indicates an additional 691 officers will retire in 2027. The breakdown reflects similar trends, with the Superintendent of Customs (200) and Deputy Superintendent of Customs (193) having the most significant representation. All retiring officers must adhere to mandatory pre-retirement leave guidelines in accordance with Public Service Rule 100238 and Federal Government Circular No. 63216/S.I/X/T; CR 1/2001/5 from March 20, 2001.

The circulars also give a provision for officers to report any discrepancies or complaints regarding their retirement status by July 31, 2026. Station heads have been tasked with ensuring that affected personnel receive these notifications. Notable retirements include several Assistant Comptrollers-General and Deputy Comptrollers-General scheduled to depart between March and December 2026.

Abejide Leke Joseph, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise, clarified that these retirements are statutory, not influenced by the appointment of a new Comptroller-General, amidst rumors linking the retirements to leadership changes. Joseph noted that a 16-year recruitment freeze and stagnant promotions have led to an accumulation of officers reaching retirement age concurrently, creating a transition period that is necessary and prescribed by law.

As part of a leadership transition plan, President Bola Tinubu has extended the tenure of the current Comptroller-General, Adewale Adeniyi, by an additional six months, until February 2027. This extension aims to facilitate ongoing reforms within the NCS and ensure a structured approach to promotions and retirements as the agency navigates this significant personnel shift.