NAQS Explains Recruitment Portal Delays, Says Application Still Open
Dr. Nafisat Makinde, Abuja
The Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) says its 2026 recruitment application process is still ongoing despite reports from some applicants experiencing difficulty accessing the recruitment portal, attributing the challenge to unusually high traffic on the platform.
The clarification was contained in a recruitment update dated August 1, 2026, and signed by ACG Issaka Ahmed, Director of Human Resources, for the Board Chairman. The agency said it had received complaints about slow access to the recruitment portal but maintained that the application process remains active.
According to NAQS, the slow response experienced by some applicants is due to the exceptionally large number of candidates attempting to access the portal simultaneously. The agency said it has received more than 15,000 applications since the recruitment advertisement was published, with over 3,000 applications submitted within the first two hours after the portal went live.
NAQS said claims that the recruitment portal is down “may not be entirely correct,” noting that the volume of applications received indicates that the portal remains operational despite intermittent access challenges.
The agency advised applicants who are unable to access the portal to continue trying at intervals, particularly during off peak hours and with stable internet connections, to improve their chances of completing the application process.
The ongoing recruitment exercise is open to qualified SSCE, OND/NCE and bachelor’s degree holders, depending on the position applied for. Applicants are required to be Nigerian citizens by birth, possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN), be medically fit with a certificate issued by a government hospital, meet the prescribed minimum height requirement of 1.65 metres for males and 1.55 metres for females, and have no criminal record, cult affiliation or record of financial embarrassment.
NAQS said applications will close on August 10, 2026, while the Computer Based Test (CBT) for shortlisted candidates is scheduled to commence on August 15, 2026.
The agency urged members of the public to disregard what it described as misleading information suggesting that the recruitment portal has shut down. It apologised for the temporary inconvenience caused by the access challenges and thanked applicants for their patience, understanding and cooperation.
Prospective applicants are advised to submit their applications only through the official NAQS recruitment portal