Nearly 2 Million Nigerians Scramble for Civil Defence, Immigration, and Fire Service Jobs

Nearly two million Nigerians have applied for positions in the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) recruitment exercise, which officially closed on Monday, August 11.

Data released on the board’s website show that 1,911,141 applications were received, despite repeated technical hitches that disrupted the process. The recruitment, originally slated to begin on June 26, was postponed twice before finally opening on July 21. The application deadline, initially set for August 4, was extended by one week to accommodate the delays.

Kogi, Kaduna, and Benue recorded the highest numbers of applicants, with 116,162, 114,536, and 110,565 entries respectively, while Bayelsa and Lagos had the lowest figures at 11,669 and 14,216. Combined, the top five states — Kogi, Kaduna, Benue, Kano, and Niger — accounted for over 510,000 applications, while the five lowest collectively contributed fewer than 100,000.

The board has announced that shortlisted candidates will soon receive instructions for the next phase of the recruitment. Applicants are urged to monitor their emails, text messages, the official portal, and CDCFIB’s social media channels for updates in the coming weeks.

In an official statement, the board expressed appreciation to all applicants for their interest in serving with “honour, integrity, and national pride,” assuring that the selection process will be fair and transparent.