The Nigeria Customs Service ranks and salary has been much of debate for some time. Although, the new salary scale of Nigeria custom officers was increased some years ago along side the salaries for public servants by the Federal Government of Nigeria in 2007.
The new salary structure for Para-military personnel is known as the Consolidated Para-military Salary Structure (CONPASS), which sees an increase in basic salary and allowances for Nigerian customs officers and all Para-military organizations. This is different from the Nigerian army salary, Air force and the Navy.
However, not all members of staff in the service can benefit from the allowances of Nigerian customs. While some of these allowances are given to specific staff of the Nigerian custom services due to the kind of tasks and duties which attract these extra allowances, others are seen as general allowances that all officers are entitled to.
Below is the list of allowances accrued to the Nigeria Customs Service officers apart from their basic salary:
- Utility allowance
- Transport allowance
- Meal subsidy
- General Services allowance
- House maintenance allowance
- Hazards allowance
- Personal Servant
- Uniform maintenance allowance
- Torchlight allowance
- Hardiness allowance
- Plain-Cloth allowance
- Detective allowance.
- Furniture allowance
The reason why rent allowance has not been consolidated or better still added is that there are some officers of the Nigerian customs service that their accommodation is provided by the Government. Those to whom accommodation is not provided by the government are encouraged to seek accommodation elsewhere, which sees their accommodation allowances included among their salaries. This differs from ranks, cadre and levels.
The highest Nigerian custom rank which is the Comptroller-General of Customs is the highest paid in the customs service followed by the Deputy Comptroller Generals, the Assistant Comptroller Generals, in that order. Note that salaries is paid according to qualifications and ranks as graduates with B.Sc should earn more than an member of staff with O’level certificate.
How Much Does a Custom Officer Earn in Nigeria in 2023?
In a 2017 report, under the Consolidated Para-military Salary Structure scale, the least paid Customs Inspector will earn a total salary estimated at N35,779 per month. He could also earn an additional N8,740 as rent subsidy if he does not live within the Government quarters with other allowances for a customs inspector added. Other ranks take-home pay have not yet been made public.
Apart from the salaries received by the men and officers of the Nigeria Customs Service, there is also the practice of collecting illegal monies from individuals importing certain items into Nigeria. This practice has since been deemed illegal and guilty officers should be reported to the appropriate authorities.
