The Kano State House of Assembly has condemned the recent cadet recruitment exercise by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), describing it as biased and unfair to the northern region.
The lawmakers, during plenary on Wednesday, accused the Customs Service of violating the constitutional principle of *federal character*, which ensures equitable representation of all regions in federal institutions.
In a statement signed by Kamaluddeen Sani Shawai, Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Jibril Ismail Falgore, the Assembly expressed concern over what it described as a “recurring pattern of regional imbalance and nepotism” in the appointment of new cadet officers.
Moving the motion, the Majority Leader, Lawal Dala, said the recruitment process lacked transparency and fairness.
He alleged that out of 1,785 cadets selected, more than 1,000 were from southern states while fewer than 540 came from the North, describing the situation as “disheartening and dangerous for national unity.”
“This lopsidedness is not only unjust but corrosive to the fragile trust that binds our federation,” Dala said.
He called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to cancel the recruitment list in the interest of justice and national cohesion.
Speaker Falgore supported the motion, urging northern lawmakers in the National Assembly to push for the annulment of the recruitment.
He said the action of the Customs Service violated the Constitution and the spirit of inclusivity in public service.
“Fairness and inclusivity are essential for peace and stability. Any action that threatens those values must be corrected,” the Speaker said.
The House unanimously adopted the motion and called on the Nigeria Customs Service Commission to cancel the exercise and conduct a new, equitable recruitment.
The 2025 NCS cadet recruitment began late last year and included several screening stages and computer-based tests that ended this month.
Although the Customs Service is yet to respond to the Kano lawmakers’ allegations, the exercise has stirred public debate on whether recent federal recruitments adequately reflect Nigeria’s regional diversity.
Analysts warn that the perception of marginalisation could deepen divisions if not addressed.
