Breaking: CDCFIB Reopens Recruitment Portal October 28, Announces Drug Tests For Shortlisted NSCDC, NIS, Other Candidates

The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) says it will reopen its recruitment portal from October 28 to November 13, 2026, for successful candidates who have undergone the medical , oral interview and other stages to check their recruitment status and obtain codes for mandatory drug tests.

The CDCFIB recruitment portal reopening marks the final stage of the ongoing recruitment exercise, with candidates required to complete the mandatory drug screening before collecting their appointment letters.

The Secretary to the Board, Maj. Gen. A.M. Jibril (Rtd.), made the revelation during the Second Board Meeting for the year, explaining that the reopening is not a fresh recruitment exercise but a continuation of the ongoing process.

According to Jibril, candidates who have progressed to the oral interview stage are expected to log in to the official CDCFIB recruitment portal within the stipulated period to confirm their application status and obtain the necessary codes for the mandatory drug screening.

He explained that the exercise forms part of the Federal Government’s plan to recruit 30,000 personnel into Nigeria’s four paramilitary services as the first phase of a broader recruitment target of 120,000 personnel.

The Board Secretary said candidates who qualify for the screening must visit the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) office in their respective states to undergo the mandatory drug test.

Jibril emphasised that the drug test would be completely free for all eligible candidates, as the Federal Government would bear the cost of the exercise. He explained that candidates would only be required to access the recruitment portal, obtain their screening codes, report to designated NDLEA offices and provide samples for testing.

He further disclosed that drug test results would be made available immediately, allowing candidates who meet the requirements to proceed to the remaining stages of the recruitment process.

The Secretary warned that no candidate should be asked to pay for the screening, advising anyone who encounters such demands to report the incident to the nearest security agency.

Jibril also stated that candidates who successfully complete the mandatory drug screening would proceed to Abuja for the collection of their appointment letters, subject to meeting all other recruitment requirements.

He stressed that a certificate confirming candidates are free from illegal drug use would be a mandatory condition for collecting appointment letters, in line with the Federal Government’s directive that prospective employees must provide evidence of being free from illegal drug use before their appointments are finalised.

The Secretary said the ongoing CDCFIB recruitment exercise covers the Nigerian Correctional Service, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Federal Fire Service (FFS) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

He noted that the recruitment of 30,000 personnel represents the first phase of the proposed recruitment of 120,000 young Nigerians into the country’s paramilitary services during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s first tenure.

According to Jibril, the recruitment exercise, alongside other personnel and welfare reforms, is aimed at strengthening the four agencies and improving their capacity to carry out their statutory responsibilities.

He urged candidates who have reached the oral interview stage to monitor the official CDCFIB recruitment portal from October 28 to November 13, 2026, check their application status and follow all official instructions regarding the drug screening and collection of appointment letters.

Candidates were also advised not to pay individuals or intermediaries claiming to facilitate the recruitment or drug testing process, as the mandatory screening will be funded by the Federal Government.