The Federal Government has temporarily suspended online recruitment into Nigeria’s paramilitary agencies, effective immediately, with the portal set to reopen on July 21, 2025.
The decision, announced by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Service Board (CDCFIB) on July 17, aims to optimize the efficiency of the recruitment platform, https://recruitment.cdcfib.gov.ng, which has been overwhelmed by a surge in applications.
CDCFIB Secretary Maj.-Gen. Abdulmalik Jubril (retd.) emphasized that the pause will ensure a transparent and equitable process for candidates seeking positions in the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian Correctional Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, and Federal Fire Service. The recruitment, initially scheduled for July 2 and later adjusted to July 14, reflects high public interest, with over 500,000 applications reported in the first week.
The suspension comes amid President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes youth employment, though some analysts question the timing, citing potential delays in addressing security manpower shortages, with banditry incidents up 10% in 2025 per police data. Jubril assured applicants that no fees are required, warning against scams, and promised a seamless resumption.
The move has sparked mixed reactions, with job seekers expressing frustration online, while government officials highlight the need for system upgrades to handle the volume, projecting 20,000 vacancies across the agencies. The outcome of this technical overhaul could shape future recruitment drives, especially as unemployment hovers at 33%.