CDCFIB portal closes after delays, glitches — 1.9 million applications received

No fewer than 1,911,141 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, 2025.

The recruitment process, which was launched earlier this year, experienced several delays and technical challenges. Initially scheduled to begin on June 26, the application process was postponed to July 14 and later shifted again to July 21 following multiple instances of server crashes and technical disruptions on the CDCFIB recruitment portal.

As a result of these setbacks, the deadline for submission, originally slated for August 4, was extended by one week to ensure that all interested applicants had adequate time to complete their registrations.

When the portal officially closed on Monday, August 11, over 1.9 million Nigerians had successfully submitted their applications.

Data from the CDCFIB portal revealed significant variations in the number of applications across the 36 states of the federation.

Kogi State recorded the highest number of applicants with 116,162, followed closely by Kaduna with 114,536, and Benue with 110,565.

Other states with large applicant numbers included Kano and Niger, bringing the total number from these top five states to over 510,000.

On the other end of the scale, Bayelsa recorded the lowest number of applications at 11,669.

Lagos followed with 14,216, Rivers had 22,210, Ebonyi 23,601, and Delta 27,962. Together, these five states accounted for a total of 99,658 applicants, highlighting a significant disparity in interest levels across different regions.

Despite the technical challenges, the sheer volume of applicants underscores the growing demand for job opportunities within Nigeria’s paramilitary and civil defence sectors.

The recruitment drive is viewed by many as a critical opportunity to secure stable employment in a country grappling with high unemployment rates, especially among the youth.

Following the closure of the application portal, CDCFIB issued a statement via its official X (formerly Twitter) account, thanking all applicants for their patience and interest in the recruitment process. The board also outlined the next steps for the recruitment exercise.

“Recruitment applications have officially closed. We extend our gratitude to all applicants for their interest and commitment to serving the nation with honour and integrity,” the board stated. “Shortlisted candidates will be contacted shortly with further instructions. Applicants are advised to monitor their email and phone messages regularly. In addition, they should check the recruitment portal and CDCFIB’s social media platforms for updates.”

The CDCFIB also reassured applicants that transparency and fairness would guide the next stages of the selection process, which include physical screenings, aptitude tests, and eventual training for successful candidates.

As Nigerians await the shortlist, the large turnout has once again drawn attention to the ongoing employment crisis in the country and the urgent need for the government to create more sustainable job opportunities.

For further updates, applicants are advised to stay connected to the CDCFIB’s official website.