The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is set to lose 1,516 personnel over the next two years, following the release of official retirement schedules for officers due to exit in 2026 and 2027.
According to internal circulars from the Service’s Human Resource and Development Department, 825 officers will retire in 2026, while 691 are scheduled for 2027, in line with statutory civil service regulations. The lists cover ranks from Deputy Comptroller-General to Customs Assistant II.
The 2026 cohort is dominated by the Deputy Superintendent of Customs cadre (285 officers), followed by the Superintendent of Customs cadre (226). Five Deputy Comptrollers-General and 13 Assistant Comptrollers-General are also among those exiting. In 2027, the Superintendent cadre leads with 200 retirements, alongside 193 Deputy Superintendents.
Affected personnel have been directed to proceed on mandatory pre-retirement leave three months before their official exit dates, per Public Service Rule 100238. They must also submit retirement notices to the Comptroller-General. Officers with complaints or omissions regarding the 2027 list have until July 31, 2026, to file corrections.
House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise Chairman, Abejide Leke Joseph, dismissed speculation that the retirements are part of a succession plan, describing them as a routine legal requirement after 35 years of service or upon reaching age 60. He attributed the large numbers to a 16-year recruitment gap, which created a bulge of officers reaching senior ranks simultaneously.
The development follows President Bola Tinubu’s approval of a six-month tenure extension for Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi until February 2027, to complete ongoing reforms, including the National Single Window project, and ensure a smooth transition. During this period, Adeniyi will work with the NCS Board on promotions and retirements.