Nigeria’s major paramilitary recruitment process recorded a setback as the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) confirmed that 221,996 applicants failed the 2025 computer-based test (CBT).
The Board said the mass failure occurred despite candidates successfully passing earlier stages of the recruitment exercise across the four participating paramilitary agencies.
CDCFIB stated that the CBT formed the third stage of a rigorous selection process. It added that the exam was conducted nationwide from 12 to 19 November 2025, with thousands unable to meet the minimum score range.
The Board confirmed that it received more than 1.8 million applications across its paramilitary agencies. It said the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) led the process with 703,499 applications, followed by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) with 482,198 submissions.
Below is the full agency application breakdown:
- Nigeria Immigration Service: 703,499
- NSCDC: 482,198
- Nigerian Correctional Service: 406,491
- Federal Fire Service: 165,212
- CDCFIB Secretariat: 116,122
CDCFIB reported that 1,120,491 applications were “fully completed and moved forward in the process.” It also recorded 432,935 incomplete applications and 360,923 disqualified applicants,” highlighting the scale of scrutiny involved.
CBT Performance and Score Distribution
According to the Board, 71.8% of shortlisted candidates sat for the exam, while 18.5% failed to show up. It added that 5.4% of applicants were flagged for violations during the test.
The score spread showed that most candidates scored between 61–80, indicating an average performance trend across the board. Below is the full score distribution:
- 0–40: 221,996
- 41–60: 229,155
- 61–80: 278,543
- 81–100: 142,697
Strong State-by-State Participation
CDCFIB said the recruitment process attracted applicants from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, reflecting strong national interest in federal paramilitary jobs. It noted that states such as Kogi (116,378), Kaduna (114,797), and Benue (110,776) topped the list.
The states with the lowest applications include Bayelsa (11,683), Rivers (14,337), and Lagos (22,244). Others at the bottom tier are Ebonyi (28,616), Delta (29,316), FCT (30,347), Ekiti (31,154), Cross River (31,742), Sokoto (32,254), and Edo (32,363).
Eligibility Standards Remain High
The exercise targeted Nigerians aged 18–35 who meet height, fitness, and educational requirements. CDCFIB said minimum qualification was SSCE with credits, while higher degrees in professions such as law, engineering, medicine, and technical fields were encouraged.
