The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is set to lose 1,516 personnel over the next two years following the release of retirement schedules for officers due to leave service in 2026 and 2027.
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‎Official documents issued by the Service’s Human Resource and Development Department indicate that 825 officers will retire in 2026, while another 691 are expected to exit in 2027 in accordance with statutory retirement regulations.
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‎The retirement lists, contained in internal circulars signed by Comptroller A.A. Bazuaye on behalf of the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Human Resources and Development, cover officers across various ranks, from Deputy Comptroller-General to Customs Assistant II.
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‎According to the 2026 retirement schedule, the largest number of affected personnel comes from the Deputy Superintendent of Customs cadre, which accounts for 285 officers. This is followed by the Superintendent of Customs cadre with 226 officers. Several senior officers, including five Deputy Comptrollers-General and 13 Assistant Comptrollers-General, are also due for retirement.
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‎For 2027, the Superintendent of Customs cadre will record the highest number of exits with 200 officers, while 193 Deputy Superintendents of Customs are also expected to retire. Other categories listed include Chief Superintendents, Deputy Customs Officers, Assistant Customs Officers, and Assistant Comptrollers-General.
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‎The Service directed all affected personnel to proceed on mandatory pre-retirement leave three months before their official retirement dates, in line with Public Service Rule 100238 and relevant Federal Government directives. Officers were also instructed to submit their retirement notices to the Comptroller-General of Customs.
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‎The 2027 retirement list provides room for corrections, with officers allowed to submit complaints or report omissions to the office of the Deputy Comptroller-General (HRD) before July 31, 2026.
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‎To ensure proper communication, Zonal Coordinators, Area Controllers, and Unit Heads were instructed to circulate the retirement notices to all affected officers.
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‎Among those listed for retirement are five Deputy Comptrollers-General and several Assistant Comptrollers-General whose retirement dates fall throughout 2026.
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‎Commenting on the development, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise, Abejide Leke Joseph, dismissed claims that the retirements were linked to succession plans within the Service.
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‎He maintained that the exercise is a routine and legally required process based on civil service regulations, which mandate retirement after 35 years of service or upon attaining the age of 60.
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‎Abejide explained that a prolonged recruitment gap spanning about 16 years had resulted in a large number of officers reaching senior ranks and retirement eligibility around the same period.
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‎According to him, the simultaneous retirement of more than 1,500 officers reflects the structure of the Service rather than any attempt to create vacancies for new appointments.
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‎The development comes shortly after President Bola Tinubu approved a final six-month extension of tenure for the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, allowing him to remain in office until February 2027.
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‎The Presidency said the extension would enable Adeniyi to complete ongoing reforms, including the implementation of the National Single Window project, while also ensuring a smooth transition process within the Service.
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‎During the extension period, Adeniyi is expected to work with the Nigeria Customs Service Board on key personnel matters, including promotions and the retirement of officers who have reached the statutory age or years of service.