If you hold an NCE, your entry point into the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is the Inspectorate Cadre, starting at:

Rank: Assistant Inspector of Customs (AIC)
Salary Grade: CONPASS 07
Monthly Salary: ₦70,000 – ₦90,000 (estimated net)

This places NCE holders above SSCE recruits (Customs Assistant) but below HND/BSc recruits (Superintendent Cadre).

Below is the detailed breakdown of the AIC salary structure, allowances, promotion prospects, training, and the new mandatory drug testing rule that every recruit must pass to secure this rank.

Table of Contents

Assistant Inspector of Customs (AIC) — Salary Structure for NCE Holders (CONPASS 07)

The table below shows where NCE holders fall compared to other education levels:

Education Level	Entry Rank	Cadre	CONPASS Level	Estimated Monthly Salary
SSCE	Customs Assistant	Junior Cadre	03–05	₦40,000 – ₦55,000
NCE / ND	Assistant Inspector of Customs (AIC)	Inspectorate Cadre	07	₦70,000 – ₦90,000
HND	Inspector of Customs	Superintendent Cadre	08	₦95,000 – ₦120,000
BSc	Assistant Superintendent of Customs II	Superintendent Cadre	08/09	₦110,000 – ₦150,000

Key Notes:

NCE holders enjoy higher allowances and faster promotion than SSCE recruits.
AIC is the middle tier, making it a strong entry point for long-term career growth.

Salary Allowances (The Non-Base Pay That Most Blogs Ignore)

Beyond the basic monthly salary, AIC officers receive several allowances that significantly increase take-home earnings.

1. Transport Allowance

Covers daily commute
Paid monthly
₦8,000 – ₦15,000 depending on posting

2. Rent/Housing Allowance

Annual payment
Higher in cities like Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt
₦80,000 – ₦200,000

3. Leave Bonus

Paid once yearly
10% of annual salary

4. Uniform & Kitting Allowance (Competitive Gap Filled)

Covers uniform, boots, badges, beret replacements
₦20,000 – ₦40,000 annually
Most ranking blogs do not mention this allowance, making this an advantage for your article.

These allowances, combined with the CONPASS salary, give a more accurate picture of an AIC’s financial position.

Promotion Prospects & Conversion

1. Promotion Pathway for NCE Holders

Start: Assistant Inspector of Customs (CONPASS 07)
Next Rank: Inspector of Customs (CONPASS 08)
Expected timeline: 3–5 years (based on performance, vacancies, and service policies)

2. Fastest Way to Jump to Higher Pay

NCE officers who acquire HND or BSc during service can apply for conversion into the Superintendent Cadre.

This moves you from:

CONPASS 07 → CONPASS 08 or 09,
instantly increasing salary and allowances.

This is the fastest career acceleration method in NCS.

Current Recruitment Status (2026 Update)

The last recruitment cycle ran from Dec 27, 2024 to Jan 2, 2025.
The Computer-Based Test (CBT) ended in September 2025.
Candidates are currently awaiting shortlisting for physical screening and training school intake.

What This Means for Applicants

New applications are currently closed.
Your next focus should be preparing for medical, physical, and documentation screening.

Mandatory Medical & Physical Requirements (The New Barrier)

In 2026, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) announced a new rule:

All incoming recruits must undergo a mandatory drug test.

Mandatory Drug Testing (Competitive Gap Filled)

Test includes marijuana, opioids, hard drugs, and stimulants.
Failure = automatic disqualification, regardless of CBT performance.
Test is conducted at government-certified hospitals only.

Other Physical & Medical Disqualification Factors

AIC candidates must also satisfy height, health, and physical fitness requirements.

Here are the specific issues that lead to immediate disqualification:

1. Visible Tattoos

Tattoos are prohibited for paramilitary recruits.

2. Severe Eye Problems

Poor eyesight
Colour blindness
Untreated eye infections

3. Knock Knees / Bow Legs

Prevent effective drills and physical training performance.

4. Chronic Medical Illnesses

Asthma
Epilepsy
Diabetes
Heart conditions
Previous drug abuse history

5. Dental Problems

Severe dental decay
Missing multiple teeth

Height Requirements

Men: 1.7m minimum
Women: 1.64m minimum

If you do not pass these standards, you will not be cleared for the Inspectorate Cadre.

Training: Duration, Location & Stipend (6–9 Months)

Once shortlisted, AIC recruits must undergo paramilitary training before being absorbed into the service.

Training Duration

6 to 9 months (varies by batch and centre)

Training Locations

Primary Custom Training Colleges include:

Kano Training College
Ikeja Training School (Lagos)
FCT Customs Camp (occasional)

Training Allowance

During training, recruits DO NOT receive the full CONPASS 07 salary.

Instead, they get a training stipend of ₦15,000 – ₦35,000 per month.

This covers:

Feeding
Basic upkeep
Kit maintenance

You begin receiving the full AIC salary only after passing out from training school.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Does an NCE holder need work experience before joining the Nigeria Customs Service?

No. Work experience is not required.
Customs recruitment is designed to train fresh graduates from scratch, especially those entering the Inspectorate Cadre (NCE/ND).

2. Can pregnant women apply for the NCE-level Customs position?

Yes, they can apply—but pregnancy will delay training.
Pregnant candidates may be asked to defer their training school intake until after delivery due to the physical and paramilitary demands of the program.

3. Can NCE holders choose their posting location?

No. Postings are determined by the Service Headquarters, based on operational need.
However, officers can apply for posting changes after 2–3 years of service, subject to approval.

4. Do AIC officers get deployed to land borders and airports?

Yes. Assistant Inspectors of Customs are commonly deployed to:

Airports
Land borders
Seaports
Bonded terminals
Anti-smuggling units

Your posting depends on operational pressure and manpower shortages.

5. Is there age flexibility for NCE applicants?

Not really.
The official age limit is 18–30 years.
However, age waivers for NCE holders are rare and given only in exceptional cases (e.g., internal or returning service applicants).

6. Can an NCE holder switch from Customs to another paramilitary agency later?

Yes. You can transfer to:

Immigration
Civil Defence
NDLEA
Prisons Service (Corrections)

But only through an official inter-agency transfer process, typically after 3+ years of service and with a clear disciplinary record.

7. Do Customs officers get accommodation in staff quarters?

AIC officers may be allocated staff quarters depending on:

Availability
Posting location
Operational urgency

However, quarters are limited, so most officers live off-campus and rely on their rent/housing allowance.

8. Are there opportunities for NCE officers to study abroad while in service?

Yes. Customs occasionally sponsors staff for:

Short professional courses
Diplomatic training
Trade facilitation programs
WCO capacity-building workshops

Priority goes to officers who show discipline and academic improvement (e.g., earning an HND/BSc while serving).

9. Do NCE officers carry firearms?

Some do.
Assistant Inspectors may be assigned to armed units such as:

Federal Operations Units
Strike Force
Anti-Smuggling Task Teams

But firearm assignment requires successful completion of weapons handling certification during training or later courses.

10. What is the retirement age for Customs officers?

Customs officers retire at:

60 years of age, OR
35 years of service, whichever comes first.

This applies to all cadres, including AIC.

11. Can NCE applicants with beards apply for customs recruitment?

Yes—but beards must be clean, low, and neatly maintained.
Long or unkempt beards will be shaved during training and can be considered indiscipline during official duty.

12. Does Customs provide life insurance for AIC officers?

Yes. Serving officers are covered under the Federal Government Group Life Insurance Scheme, which provides compensation to family members in the event of death while in service.

13. How often do AIC officers go on annual leave?

Officers at the Inspectorate Cadre receive 30 days of annual leave, plus a leave allowance, paid once a year.

Conclusion: So, Is the AIC (NCE) Rank Worth It?

Yes—if you value job security, steady promotion, and a federal career path with predictable income and benefits.

While the starting salary (₦70k–₦90k) may not seem high, the Inspectorate Cadre offers:

A stable federal job
Multiple allowances
Career growth
Strong medical coverage
The opportunity to upgrade to Superintendent Cadre with further education
- The new requirement: stay drug-free and physically fit

Your biggest hurdles are medical fitness, drug testing, and the 6–9 month training school.
Once you clear those, you secure a stable career path that grows with you.