Nigeria Customs Service ranks and salary structure in 2026
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) ranks range from Customs Assistant to Comptroller-General, with a salary structure offering a monthly pay between ₦70,000 and over ₦3 million. Coupled with substantial allowances, the NCS remains one of Nigeria’s most respected and rewarding public service institutions. The agency is responsible for the collection of customs revenue, facilitation of national and international trade, and border security.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- Nigeria Customs Service ranks and salary structure
- Customs Assistant - ₦70,000–₦85,417 per month
- Assistant Inspector of Customs - ₦78,750–₦91,667 per month
- Inspector of Customs - ₦86,667–₦104,167 per month
- Assistant Superintendent II - ₦97,500–₦114,583 per month
- Assistant Superintendent I - ₦110,000–₦125,000 per month
- Deputy Superintendent (DSC) - ₦115,000–₦130,000 per month
- Chief Superintendent (CSC) - ₦120,000–₦145,833 per month
- Assistant Comptroller - ₦130,417–₦156,250 per month
- Deputy Comptroller - ₦170,833–₦187,500 per month
- Comptroller - ₦180,833–₦208,333 per month
- Deputy Comptroller-General - ₦250,000–₦270,833
- Comptroller General - over ₦270,833 per month
- SSCE ranks in the Customs salary structure
- Nigeria Customs Service allowances and benefits
- How much is the salary of a superintendent cadre in Customs in Nigeria?
- How much is the HND salary in the customs?
- What is the highest-paying job in Customs?
- How much is the salary for the SSCE?
- What is the lowest rank in Customs in Nigeria?
- What is the salary structure of the Customs Service in Nigeria?
- Is the NCS a paramilitary organisation?
Key takeaways
- The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) follows a structured paramilitary ranking system, starting with Customs Assistant at the entry level up to the Comptroller-General at the top.
- In 2026, monthly salaries range from around ₦70,000 for junior ranks to over ₦3 million for senior officers.
- Salaries increase based on rank, experience, and qualifications, with senior officers earning substantially more than entry-level staff.
- Officers receive additional benefits, including housing, transport, uniform, and hazard allowances, which significantly increase their total compensation.
Nigeria Customs Service ranks and salary structure
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) operates under a structured paramilitary system that determines both salaries and benefits.
According to Reuters, the minimum wage in Nigeria rose from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000 in July 2024, impacting public sector earnings. As a result, the salary of a customs officer in Nigeria also experienced adjustments under the new pay structure.
Below is a list of ranks in the Nigeria Customs Service and their estimated salary ranges in ascending order. Note that these are approximated figures, as the actual ones are yet to be confirmed in the public domain.
Rank | Basic monthly salary (₦) | Basic annual salary (₦) |
Customs Assistant | ₦70,000–₦85,417 | ₦840,000–₦1,025,000 |
Assistant Inspector of Customs | ₦78,750–₦91,667 | ₦945,000–₦1,100,000 |
Inspector of Customs | ₦86,667–₦104,167 | ₦1,040,000–₦1,250,000 |
Assistant Superintendent II | ₦97,500–₦114,583 | ₦1,170,000–₦1,375,000 |
Assistant Superintendent I | ₦110,000–₦125,000 | ₦1,320,000–₦1,500,000 |
Deputy Superintendent (DSC) | ₦115,000–₦130,000 | ₦1,380,000–₦1,560,000 |
Chief Superintendent (CSC) | ₦120,000–₦145,833 | ₦1,440,000–₦1,750,000 |
Assistant Comptroller | ₦130,417–₦156,250 | ₦1,565,000–₦1,875,000 |
Deputy Comptroller | ₦170,833–₦187,500 | ₦2,050,000–₦2,250,000 |
Comptroller | ₦180,833–₦208,333 | ₦2,170,000–₦2,500,000 |
Deputy Comptroller-General | ₦250,000–₦270,833 | ₦3,000,000–₦3,250,000 |
Customs Assistant - ₦70,000–₦85,417 per month
The Customs Assistant position is the lowest job cadre in the NCS. Many SSCE certificate holders start their NCS careers at this level. The basic pay per month for this level is ₦70,000–₦85,417 per month.
Assistant Inspector of Customs - ₦78,750–₦91,667 per month
The Assistant Inspector of Customs (AIC) position in Nigeria is a mid-level, non-commissioned role. An AIC is tasked with operational duties. They inspect goods, enforce trade regulations, collect revenue, and combat smuggling at borders and ports. The basic monthly pay is between ₦78,750 and ₦91,667 per month.
Inspector of Customs - ₦86,667–₦104,167 per month
The Inspector of Customs in Nigeria (IC) position is typically the HND rank in the Customs' salary structure. This is a mid-level position, and holders usually possess a Higher National Diploma (HND).
Officers at this level are tasked with core operational duties. They enforce customs laws, collect revenue, inspect cargo, and facilitate legitimate trade at borders and ports. The basic monthly pay for an IC officer is between ₦86,667 and ₦104,167.
Source: UGC
Assistant Superintendent II - ₦97,500–₦114,583 per month
The Assistant Superintendent II position is a commissioned entry-level officer rank for graduates. The basic pay for this level is between ₦97,500 and ₦114,583 per month. At this level, officers handle operational supervision, administrative duties, border management, and security patrols. They also report to senior officers.
Assistant Superintendent I - ₦110,000–₦125,000 per month
Under the Assistant Superintendent I cadre, officers oversee border security, inspect cargo, and investigate customs law infringements to secure revenue and prevent illegal trade. Their basic pay is between ₦110,000 and ₦125,000 per month.
Deputy Superintendent (DSC) - ₦115,000–₦130,000 per month
The DSC is a middle-management position. Officers at this level focus on operational enforcement, cargo inspection, and intelligence gathering. Their basic monthly pay is between ₦115,000 and ₦130,000.
Chief Superintendent (CSC) - ₦120,000–₦145,833 per month
A Chief Superintendent of Customs is a senior officer responsible for supervising core customs operations. They are actively involved in revenue collection, anti-smuggling enforcement, and cargo clearance at border posts and ports. Their basic monthly pay is between ₦120,000 and ₦145,833.
Assistant Comptroller - ₦130,417–₦156,250 per month
Assistant Comptrollers manage specific departments or units. They also act as second-in-command within commands, assisting in revenue generation and enforcement against smuggling. The basic salary for Assistant Comptrollers is between ₦130,417 and ₦156,250 per month.
Source: UGC
Deputy Comptroller - ₦170,833–₦187,500 per month
Deputy Comptrollers work closely with Comptrollers to ensure the NCS mandate is implemented. Their basic pay in a month ranges between ₦170,833 and ₦187,500.
Comptroller - ₦180,833–₦208,333 per month
Comptrollers run the affairs of each unit under the divisions under the Deputy Comptrollers-General (DCGs) (divisions listed below). They implement the NCS mandate at the operational level and directly oversee revenue generation, border security, and trade facilitation. A comptroller's basic monthly salary is between ₦180,833 and ₦208,333.
Deputy Comptroller-General - ₦250,000–₦270,833
There are nine Deputy Comptrollers-General (DCGs) in the following departments:
- Finance and Technical Service
- Tariff & Trade
- ICT & Modernisation
- Legal Department
- Training and Doctrine Command
- Enforcement, Investigation, and Inspection
- Strategic Research and Policy
- Excise, Industrial Incentives and Free Trade Zone
- Human Resource Development
All Deputy Comptrollers-General have Assistant Comptrollers-General heading each division under them. A Deputy Comptroller-General has a monthly basic salary of between ₦250,000 and ₦270,833.
Comptroller General - over ₦270,833 per month
Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR is the sitting NCS Comptroller General as of April 2026. He is the top position is in the Customs rank list.
The Comptroller General is the administrative and operational head responsible for overall management, revenue collection, and trade facilitation of the NCS. His basic monthly salary is over ₦270,833 per month.
SSCE ranks in the Customs salary structure
Applicants with an SSCE (Senior Secondary Certificate Examination) qualification are generally recruited into the lowest ranks of the NCS. These positions are part of the Customs Assistant Cadre, which serves as the entry point into the service.
Salaries can differ based on duty location, length of service, and the specific allowances an officer is entitled to. Below is an exploration of the Nigeria Customs Service ranks and salaries in 2026 for SSCE holders.
Rank | Position | Monthly salary (₦) |
Customs assistant II (CA II) | Entry-level for SSCE holders | ₦70,000–₦85,000 |
Customs assistant I (CA I) | Slight promotion within the same cadre | ₦85,000–₦100,000 |
Nigeria Customs Service allowances and benefits
In addition to basic salaries, the Nigeria Customs Service grants a variety of allowances and extra benefits to its officers. These allowances vary by rank, duty station, and nature of assignment. They include:
- Housing allowance
- Transport allowance
- Uniform allowance
- Hazard allowance
- Utility allowance
- Meal subsidy
- Medical allowance
- Furniture allowance
- Hardship allowance
- Leave grant
- Torchlight/detective allowance
- Special duty allowance
- Shift duty allowance
Source: UGC
How much is the salary of a superintendent cadre in Customs in Nigeria?
Customs officers with a bachelor’s degree or HND start in the Superintendent cadre, specifically as Assistant Superintendent II. They generally earn an estimated monthly take-home salary ranging from ₦97,500 for the Assistant Superintendent II to ₦145,833 for the Chief Superintendent.
How much is the HND salary in the customs?
An Inspector of Customs in the NCS must hold a Higher National Diploma (HND). Their basic pay is between ₦86,667 and ₦104,167 per month.
What is the highest-paying job in Customs?
The highest-paying job in the NCS is the Comptroller General, with a basic salary of over ₦270,833 per month.
How much is the salary for the SSCE?
The average monthly salary for SSCE certificate holders ranges between ₦70,000 and ₦85,417.
What is the lowest rank in Customs in Nigeria?
The lowest rank is the Customs Assistant.
What is the salary structure of the Customs Service in Nigeria?
Check out the previous sections of this article to familiarise yourself with the salary structure of the Customs Service in Nigeria.
Is the NCS a paramilitary organisation?
The Nigerian Customs Service is one of the paramilitary organisations in Nigeria. It is responsible for collecting customs duties, preventing smuggling, enforcing trade regulations, and facilitating legitimate international trade.
The ranks of the Nigeria Customs Service form the backbone of a well-structured and progressive career system. With each promotion comes greater responsibility and a noticeable boost in earnings, making the NCS an attractive and rewarding path for driven individuals seeking long-term career growth.
Source: Original
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