Are you wondering which agency pays better between Customs, Immigration, and Civil Defence? Do you want to compare the salary structures, ranks, entry qualifications, and career growth opportunities of these three major paramilitary agencies in Nigeria? This detailed 2025 guide answers all your questions.
In this article, we break down the Customs vs Immigration vs Civil Defence salary and rank comparison in Nigeria. Whether you're applying as an SSCE, ND, HND, or BSc holder, this guide helps you make an informed decision.
Overview: Customs vs Immigration vs Civil Defence in Nigeria
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) are three of the most popular paramilitary agencies in Nigeria. All three operate under the Consolidated Paramilitary Salary Structure (CONPASS) and fall under the Federal Ministry of Interior.
Despite being under the same ministry, their roles, recruitment standards, and salaries vary significantly.
Rank Structure Comparison: Customs vs Immigration vs Civil Defence
Each agency operates a structured ranking system similar to military or police formats. Below is a breakdown of their ranks from lowest to highest.
🔹 Nigeria Customs Service Ranks (Lowest to Highest)
Customs Assistant III (CAIII)
Customs Assistant II (CAII)
Customs Assistant I (CAI)
Assistant Inspector of Customs
Inspector of Customs
Assistant Superintendent of Customs II (ASC II)
ASC I
Deputy Superintendent
Superintendent
Chief Superintendent
Assistant Comptroller
Deputy Comptroller
Comptroller
Assistant Comptroller General
Deputy Comptroller General
Comptroller-General of Customs
🔸 Nigeria Immigration Service Ranks
Immigration Assistant III (IAIII)
Immigration Assistant II (IAII)
Immigration Assistant I (IAI)
Assistant Inspector of Immigration
Inspector of Immigration
Assistant Superintendent of Immigration II (ASI II)
ASI I
Deputy Superintendent
Superintendent
Chief Superintendent
Assistant Comptroller
Deputy Comptroller
Comptroller
Assistant Comptroller General
Deputy Comptroller General
Comptroller-General of Immigration
🔻 NSCDC (Civil Defence) Ranks
Assistant Cadre
Inspectorate Cadre
Assistant Superintendent of Corps II (ASC II)
ASC I
Deputy Superintendent
Superintendent
Chief Superintendent
Assistant Commander
Deputy Commander
Commander
Assistant Commandant General (ACG)
Deputy Commandant General (DCG)
Commandant General (CG)
Each agency's rank progression allows for promotions every few years based on qualifications, experience, and internal exams.
Salary Structure: Customs vs Immigration vs Civil Defence 2025
The salary for officers in these agencies is governed by CONPASS, but actual figures vary depending on the role, years of service, and risk allowances.
| Rank | Customs Salary (₦) | Immigration Salary (₦) | Civil Defence Salary (₦) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (SSCE) | ₦30,000 – ₦50,000 | ₦30,000 – ₦45,000 | ₦35,000 – ₦45,000 |
| ND/NCE Entry Rank | ₦45,000 – ₦65,000 | ₦45,000 – ₦65,000 | ₦45,000 – ₦65,000 |
| HND/BSc Entry Rank | ₦75,000 – ₦95,000 | ₦75,000 – ₦95,000 | ₦75,000 – ₦90,000 |
| Mid-Level Superintendent Rank | ₦120,000 – ₦160,000 | ₦120,000 – ₦160,000 | ₦110,000 – ₦150,000 |
| Senior Command Ranks | ₦180,000 – ₦270,000 | ₦180,000 – ₦270,000 | ₦160,000 – ₦250,000 |
| Top 3 Executive Ranks | ₦300,000 – ₦500,000 | ₦300,000 – ₦500,000 | ₦280,000 – ₦450,000 |
Customs and Immigration offer slightly better remuneration at senior levels, while NSCDC has more community-based and grassroots deployments.
Entry Qualification and Recruitment Comparison
All three agencies recruit based on educational qualifications ranging from SSCE to university degrees. Here's how they compare:
Customs accepts SSCE holders as Customs Assistant III and BSc/HND holders as ASC II
Immigration recruits SSCE holders as Immigration Assistant III and graduates as ASI II
Civil Defence hires SSCE holders for the Assistant Cadre and graduates as ASC II
All require:
Nigerian citizenship
Age between 18–30 years
Physical fitness and height requirements
Computer literacy (increasingly preferred)
Recruitment is conducted via official websites and is usually announced publicly. Written tests, screening, and physical verification follow.
Allowances and Benefits: Customs vs Immigration vs Civil Defence
Besides the basic salary, officers in all three agencies receive allowances:
💼 Customs: Uniform, hazard, housing, transport, field duty bonuses, special operations allowance
🛂 Immigration: Uniform, foreign assignment, hazard, housing, and operational tour allowances
🛡️ NSCDC: Housing, uniform, hazard, rural posting, and operations allowances
Customs officers often enjoy additional monetary bonuses due to their revenue-generating role. Immigration officers may be posted internationally, while Civil Defence officers are more locally deployed but have access to grassroots-focused benefits.
Promotion and Career Progression
All three agencies promote officers based on years of service, conduct, and internal examinations.
Promotion typically occurs every 3–5 years
BSc and HND holders advance faster with relevant certifications
Performance appraisals and training courses influence promotion speed
✅ Which Is Better: Customs, Immigration, or Civil Defence?
The answer depends on your personal goals and interests:
Choose Customs if you're interested in revenue services, import/export control, and field operations with financial incentives.
Choose Immigration if you’re focused on national security, passport control, and possible foreign postings.
Choose Civil Defence if you’re passionate about civil protection, crisis response, and grassroots community safety.
All three offer stable careers with structured salaries, benefits, and opportunities for advancement.
✅ Conclusion: Customs vs Immigration vs Civil Defence Salary and Rank Comparison
In summary, this 2025 Customs vs Immigration vs Civil Defence salary and rank comparison has shown that all three agencies have similar rank structures and operate under CONPASS. However, Customs and Immigration slightly edge out NSCDC in salary and international opportunities.
Whether you're applying as an SSCE holder, ND diploma holder, or a university graduate, understanding how each agency works will help you choose the right path.
Bookmark this page and follow each agency’s recruitment updates to take your next career step in Nigeria’s paramilitary sector.