The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is one of the country’s major paramilitary organizations, responsible for the regulation of international trade, revenue generation through import and export duties, and the protection of Nigeria’s borders against smuggling. Like many other uniformed services, the NCS has a structured ranking system and a corresponding salary scale based on qualifications and years of service. In this article, we will list and explain the salary structure, allowances, and the ranks of the Nigeria Customs Service.
Before you go on, we will love you to look at our previous articles on the Nigerian Police salary ranks and allowance and the Nigerian Immigration Service ranks and salary to also see how their ranks and salaries are structured.
NCS Entry Ranks Based on Educational Qualification
When Applicants join the Nigeria Customs Service, their educational qualifications determine both the rank they are assigned and the salary they receive. Below is an outline of the entry points based on academic certificates:
- SSCE (Senior Secondary Certificate Examination) Holders:
Those with only SSCE are recruited as Customs Assistant III, which is one of the lowest ranks. Their monthly salary usually ranges from ₦70,000 to ₦85,000. Annually, this translates to roughly ₦840,000 to ₦1,020,000. Officers at this level primarily handle basic tasks and support functions. - NCE (Nigeria Certificate in Education) or ND (National Diploma) Holders:
Applicants with these qualifications are typically placed in the rank of Assistant Inspector of Customs or Inspector of Customs. Their starting monthly salary ranges from ₦100,000 to ₦115,000, which totals approximately ₦1,200,000 to ₦1,380,000 per year. - HND (Higher National Diploma) Holders:
These candidates are usually enlisted as Assistant Superintendent of Customs II (ASC II). Their monthly salary may range from ₦120,000 to ₦140,000. This adds up to an annual salary of between ₦1,440,000 and ₦1,680.000 per year. - BSc or Bachelor’s Degree Holders:
Similar to HND holders, BSc graduates also join as ASC II, but depending on the discipline and institution, some may progress more rapidly to ASC I. Their salary often starts around ₦150,000 monthly, totaling about ₦1.8 million per year.
Full List of Nigeria Customs Service Ranks
The ranks in the Nigeria Customs Service are grouped into three main categories: junior officers, mid-level officers, and senior officers.
Junior Officers
- Customs Assistant III
- Customs Assistant II
- Customs Assistant I
- Assistant Inspector of Customs
- Inspector of Customs
Mid-Level Officers
- Assistant Superintendent of Customs II
- Assistant Superintendent of Customs I
- Deputy Superintendent of Customs
- Superintendent of Customs
- Chief Superintendent of Customs
Senior Officers
- Assistant Comptroller of Customs
- Deputy Comptroller of Customs
- Comptroller of Customs
- Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs
- Deputy Comptroller-General
- Comptroller-General of Customs
NIS Salary Structure
The Nigeria Customs Service salary structure is based on the Consolidated Paramilitary Salary Structure (CONPASS), similar to what is used in other paramilitary services in Nigeria. Below is a list of the salary progression through the ranks:
- Customs Assistant: ₦70,000 – ₦90,000 per month
- Inspector of Customs: ₦100,000 – ₦120,000 per month
- Assistant Superintendent of Customs II: ₦120,000 – ₦140,000 per month
- Superintendent to Chief Superintendent: ₦160,000 – ₦220,000 per month
- Assistant Comptroller to Comptroller: ₦240,000 – ₦440,000 per month
- Assistant Comptroller-General and above: ₦490,000 to ₦740,000 monthly
- Comptroller-General: Over ₦850,000 monthly (including allowances)
Allowances and Benefits
Apart from the basic salary, customs officers are entitled to various allowances which significantly boost their total earnings. Some of these include:
- Housing Allowance
- Transport Allowance
- Meal Subsidy
- Uniform Maintenance Allowance
- Hazard Allowance (especially for officers posted to risky or volatile borders)
- Shift Duty Allowance
- Leave Allowance
- Medical Services and Health Insurance
Officers in higher ranks may also enjoy other privileges such as official vehicles, paid vacations, and retirement benefits.
Nigeria Customs Service Training Allowance (NCS)
Trainees receive monthly allowances ranging from ₦15,000 to ₦50,000, depending on their educational background. Specifically, recruits with higher qualifications, such as BSc or HND degrees, tend to receive allowances at the upper end of this range while the SSCE certificate holders receives the least training allowance.
The Nigeria Customs Service offers a stable and structured career path for Nigerians across all educational levels. While SSCE holders start from the base of the pyramid, opportunities exist to grow through the ranks, especially for those who go for further education and training. With competitive salaries, generous allowances, and job security, the NCS remains a top choice for many Nigerians aspiring to serve their country in a paramilitary capacity.
