The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) has fixed December 22 to 26, 2025, for physical screening and document verification for shortlisted applicants across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The announcement signals the final stage of a recruitment process that has unfolded through several public updates over the past three months.
In a notice issued on Wednesday, the Board directed candidates who passed earlier phases to log into the official recruitment portal between December 15 and 19 to select their preferred screening centres and dates. According to the CDCFIB, the scheduling system is intended to reduce crowding and ensure smoother verification at state-level centres.
The December screening follows earlier announcements outlining the application procedure, eligibility requirements and documents required for submission. During the application period, the Board emphasised that all entries must be submitted through its official portal and warned applicants to disregard multiple unofficial recruitment links circulating online. Candidates were required to upload their birth certificates, educational qualifications, national identification, certificate of origin and, where necessary, NYSC discharge or exemption certificates. The Board also highlighted criteria such as age limits, height considerations for some cadres and the need for a clean security profile.
By mid-October, attention shifted to the shortlisting stage, with qualified applicants invited to participate in a computer-based test (CBT). The Board described the CBT as a central merit-based stage, assessing general knowledge, English proficiency, logical reasoning and security awareness depending on the agency being applied for. Candidates were reminded to arrive early, bring their acknowledgment slips and valid identification, and comply with exam-day instructions.
In early December, the recruitment exercise experienced a brief pause when the Board postponed the reopening of the portal for the next stage. The delay generated uncertainty among applicants awaiting guidance. The CDCFIB later clarified that the postponement was due to ongoing technical adjustments and assured candidates that revised dates for the next steps would be communicated promptly. The Board also urged applicants to rely exclusively on official channels for updates and ignore misleading information circulating on social media.
The latest announcement has now provided clarity. Applicants who passed the CBT are required to choose their screening slots within the designated December window and present themselves for verification with the original copies of all previously uploaded documents. For certain agencies—particularly those with security and operational functions—the screening will also involve fitness assessments alongside biometric checks and credential authentication.
Following the December verification exercise, the Board is expected to make final selections before successful candidates proceed to training in 2026. The CDCFIB said it remains committed to conducting a transparent, orderly and merit-driven recruitment process.
For thousands of applicants who have monitored official statements and adjusted to shifting timelines over the past three months, the December screening dates represent the last major hurdle before potential entry into one of Nigeria’s key paramilitary and public safety services.
