Nigerian Customs Service (NCS)
Past Questions And Answers
The questions are grouped into the four core areas the NCS typically tests:
1. General Studies & Current Affairs
2. English Language / Verbal Reasoning
3. Numerical Reasoning / Quantitative Aptitude
4. Customs‑Specific Knowledge
Each question is lettered A–E and the correct answer is given immediately after.
SECTION A — General Studies & Current Affairs
1. When was the Nigeria Customs Service inaugurated?
A. 1981 B. 1891 C. 1964 D. 1980 E. 1975
Answer: B
2. The first Director‑General of the Nigeria Customs Service was:
A. T.A. Wall B. E.D. Hermit C. Ndi Okereke Onyiuke D. Musa Bello E. Hameed Ali
Answer: A
3. One of the following is NOT a directorate in the Nigeria Customs Service:
A. Customs Tariff and Trade B. Customs Import and Export C. Customs Investigation
Directorate D. Customs Inspection Directorate E. Customs Enforcement
Answer: B
4. The Computer‑Based Promotion Examination was implemented during the regime of:
A. Abdullahi Dikko B. Aliyu Mustapha C. Hameed Ali D. Shehu Musa E. Bello
Mohammed
Answer: A
5. How many Deputy Comptrollers does the Nigeria Customs Service have?
A. 6 B. 5 C. 4 D. 3 E. 2
Answer: A
6. A document issued by a carrier to acknowledge receipt of cargo is called:
A. Bill of Exchange B. Bill of Direction C. Wayfarers’ Guide D. Bill of Lading E. Cargo
Manifest
Answer: D
7. The capital of Lagos State is:
A. Bariga B. Isale‑Eko C. Eko D. Ikeja E. Ikorodu
Answer: D
8. The current Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (as of 2025) is:
A. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi B. Godwin Emefiele C. Olayemi Cardoso D. Adamu
Chiroma E. Charles Soludo
Answer: C
9. A piece of land completely surrounded by water is called:
A. Platform B. Lagoon C. Lake D. Island E. Peninsula
Answer: D
10. The official currency of Nigeria is:
A. Dollar B. Pound C. Naira D. Cedi E. Rand
Answer: C
SECTION B — English Language / Verbal Reasoning
11. In words, the number 14 is written as:
A. Forteen B. Fourteen C. Fortin D. Fourtin E. Fourtean
Answer: B
12. Choose the opposite of the uppercase word:
Few people prefer the RURAL to the areas.
A. Urban B. Modern C. Pastoral D. Central E. Rustic
Answer: A
13. “Amaka was the cynosure of all eyes at the party” means:
A. She attracted everybody’s attention B. She was notorious C. Everyone ignored
her D. She was absent E. None of the above
Answer: A
14. Bose shouldn’t have interrupted the teacher, ?
A. Could she B. Didn’t she C. Should she D. Did she E. Can she
Answer: D
15. Choose the word most similar to “peculiar”:
A. True B. Special C. Short D. False E. Strange
Answer: E
SECTION C — Numerical Reasoning / Quantitative Aptitude
16. √144 is:
A. 11 B. 13 C. √146 D. 12 E. √244
Answer: D
17. Which is the smallest fraction?
A. 3/4 B. 6/7 C. 1/2 D. 6/5 E. 5/6
Answer: C
18. If tomorrow is Sunday, what day was yesterday?
A. Monday B. Tuesday C. Friday D. Saturday E. Thursday
Answer: C
19. Consider the sequence 2, 6, 18, 54, 162… If the 48th term is A and the 51st is B, what is
B/A?
A. 1/27 B. 1/3 C. 9 D. 3 E. 27
Answer: E
20. A trader bought goods for ₦15,000 and sold them for ₦18,000. What is the profit
percentage?
A. 15% B. 18% C. 20% D. 25% E. 30%
Answer: C
SECTION D — Customs‑Specific Knowledge
21. The Nigeria Customs Service is under which ministry?
A. Ministry of Finance B. Ministry of Interior C. Ministry of Trade D. Ministry of
Defence E. Ministry of Transport
Answer: A
22. The motto of the Nigeria Customs Service is:
A. Justice and Service B. Service to the Nation C. Service and Justice D. Customs for
Progress E. Integrity and Honour
Answer: C
23. The Nigeria Customs Service was formerly known as:
A. Department of Customs and Excise B. Federal Customs Authority C. Colonial
Customs Office D. Trade and Tariff Bureau E. None of the above
Answer: A
24. The head of the Nigeria Customs Service is called:
A. Director‑General B. Comptroller‑General C. Chief Customs Officer D.
Inspector‑General E. Commandant‑General
Answer: B
25. The Nigeria Customs Service is responsible for:
A. Policing borders only B. Collecting customs duties C. Issuing passports D.
Conducting elections E. Managing prisons
Answer: B
26. The Nigeria Customs Service was established in:
A. 1891 B. 1960 C. 1975 D. 1981 E. 1999
Answer: A
27. The current Comptroller‑General of Customs (as of 2025) is:
A. Hameed Ali B. Adewale Adeniyi C. Abdullahi Dikko D. Shehu Musa E. Bello
Mohammed
Answer: B
28. Which of these is NOT a function of the Nigeria Customs Service?
A. Collection of import duties B. Prevention of smuggling C. Issuance of driver’s
licences D. Enforcement of trade laws E. Border security
Answer: C
29. The Nigeria Customs Service operates under which arm of government?
A. Executive B. Legislative C. Judiciary D. Local Government E. None of the above
Answer: A
30. The ECOWAS treaty was signed in:
A. 1975 B. 1981 C. 1963 D. 1991 E. 2000
Answer: A
SECTION B — English Language / Verbal Reasoning (continued)
31. Choose the correct spelling:
A. Accomodation B. Acommodation C. Accommodation D. Accommadation E.
Acomodation
Answer: C
32. The synonym of “benevolent” is:
A. Kind B. Cruel C. Harsh D. Mean E. Hostile
Answer: A
33. Fill in the blank: “Neither the teacher nor the students _ present.”
A. Was B. Were C. Are D. Be E. Is
Answer: B
34. Choose the opposite of “scarce”:
A. Rare B. Abundant C. Few D. Limited E. Short
Answer: B
35. Which sentence is correct?
A. She don’t like mangoes.
B. She doesn’t likes mangoes.
C. She doesn’t like mangoes.
D. She don’t likes mangoes.
E. She not like mangoes.
Answer: C
SECTION C — Numerical Reasoning / Quantitative Aptitude (continued)
36. 15% of ₦2000 is:
A. ₦200 B. ₦250 C. ₦300 D. ₦350 E. ₦400
Answer: B
37. If 3x = 12, then x =
A. 2 B. 3 C. 4 D. 6 E. 12
Answer: C
38. The average of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 is:
A. 20 B. 25 C. 30 D. 35 E. 40
Answer: C
39. A man bought a radio for ₦5000 and sold it for ₦6000. His profit percentage is:
A. 10% B. 15% C. 20% D. 25% E. 30%
Answer: C
40. If 2y + 3 = 11, then y =
A. 2 B. 3 C. 4 D. 5 E. 6
Answer: C
SECTION D — Customs‑Specific Knowledge (continued)
41. The Nigeria Customs Service is headed by:
A. Inspector‑General B. Comptroller‑General C. Director‑General D. Chief Customs
Officer E. Commandant‑General
Answer: B
42. Which of these is a Customs rank?
A. Sergeant B. Assistant Superintendent C. Lieutenant D. Captain E. Warrant Officer
Answer: B
43. The Nigeria Customs Service collaborates with which agency to secure borders?
A. FRSC B. NIS C. NPF D. NDLEA E. All of the above
Answer: E
44. The Customs headquarters is located in:
A. Lagos B. Abuja C. Port Harcourt D. Kaduna E. Kano
Answer: B
45. The Nigeria Customs Service emblem features:
A. An eagle B. A ship C. A star D. A lion E. A horse
Answer: A
46. The Nigeria Customs Service was created mainly to:
A. Enforce immigration laws B. Collect revenue C. Conduct elections D. Manage
prisons E. Issue driver’s licences
Answer: B
47. The West African regional body ECOWAS has its headquarters in:
A. Lagos B. Abuja C. Accra D. Monrovia E. Abuja
Answer: C
48. The Nigerian coat of arms has how many horses?
A. 1 B. 2 C. 3 D. 4 E. None
Answer: B
49. The green colour in the Nigerian flag represents:
A. Peace B. Agriculture C. Wealth D. Unity E. Justice
Answer: B
50. The current President of Nigeria (as of 2025) is:
A. Muhammadu Buhari B. Goodluck Jonathan C. Bola Ahmed Tinubu D. Yemi
Osinbajo E. Atiku Abubakar
Answer: C
51. Choose the correct option: “Neither Ade nor his friends _ going.”
A. Is B. Are C. Was D. Be E. Were
Answer: B
52. The synonym of “audible” is:
A. Loud B. Clear C. Heard D. Sound E. Noisy
Answer: C
53. Fill in the blank: “He has been absent _ Monday.”
A. Since B. For C. From D. At E. By
Answer: A
54. Choose the opposite of “expand”:
A. Enlarge B. Contract C. Increase D. Extend E. Grow
Answer: B
55. Which sentence is correct?
A. Its raining heavily.
B. It’s raining heavily.
C. Its’ raining heavily.
D. It rains heavily.
E. It raining heavily.
Answer: B
56. Pick the word that is most similar to “fragile”:
A. Weak B. Strong C. Hard D. Firm E. Solid
Answer: A
57. Choose the correct spelling:
A. Recieve B. Receive C. Receeve D. Recive E. Receve
Answer: B
58. The antonym of “optimistic” is:
A. Hopeful B. Positive C. Cheerful D. Pessimistic E. Confident
Answer: D
59. Fill in the blank: “The committee has reached _ decision.”
A. There B. Their C. Its D. It’s E. Them
Answer: C
60. Which of these is a correct question tag?
“She can swim, _?”
A. Can she B. Can’t she C. Could she D. Couldn’t she E. Shall she
Answer: B
61. 25% of ₦800 is:
A. ₦100 B. ₦150 C. ₦180 D. ₦200 E. ₦250
Answer: D
62. If 5x = 45, then x =
A. 5 B. 7 C. 8 D. 9 E. 10
Answer: D
63. The sum of angles in a triangle is:
A. 90° B. 120° C. 180° D. 270° E. 360°
Answer: C
64. If a car travels 60 km in 1 hour, how far will it travel in 4 hours at the same speed?
A. 180 km B. 200 km C. 220 km D. 240 km E. 300 km
Answer: D
65. The next number in the sequence 2, 4, 8, 16, _ is:
A. 18 B. 24 C. 30 D. 32 E. 36
Answer: D
66. If 12 pens cost ₦480, what is the cost of one pen?
A. ₦30 B. ₦35 C. ₦40 D. ₦45 E. ₦50
Answer: C
67. The perimeter of a square of side 5 cm is:
A. 10 cm B. 15 cm C. 20 cm D. 25 cm E. 30 cm
Answer: C
68. 3/5 of 100 is:
A. 20 B. 40 C. 50 D. 60 E. 80
Answer: D
69. If 8y = 64, then y =
A. 6 B. 7 C. 8 D. 9 E. 10
Answer: C
70. The simple interest on ₦2000 at 5% per annum for 2 years is:
A. ₦100 B. ₦150 C. ₦200 D. ₦250 E. ₦300
Answer: C
71. The Nigeria Customs Service training college is located in:
A. Lagos B. Abuja C. Kano D. Gwagwalada E. Kaduna
Answer: E
72. The Nigeria Customs Service was formerly under which department?
A. Ministry of Trade B. Ministry of Finance C. Nigerian Ports Authority D. Department
of Customs and Excise E. Ministry of Interior
Answer: D
73. Which of these is a Customs preventive measure?
A. Border patrol B. Issuing visas C. Conducting elections D. Road safety checks E.
Issuing licences
Answer: A
74. The Nigeria Customs Service collaborates with which agency to combat drug
trafficking?
A. FRSC B. NDLEA C. NIS D. NPF E. NPA
Answer: B
75. The Customs rank immediately below Comptroller‑General is:
A. Deputy Comptroller‑General B. Assistant Comptroller‑General C. Comptroller D.
Chief Superintendent E. Superintendent
Answer: A
76. The Nigeria Customs Service is divided into how many zones?
A. 2 B. 4 C. 6 D. 8 E. 10
Answer: C
77. The Customs tariff is based on:
A. Harmonized System Code B. Local pricing C. Importer’s choice D. Exporter’s
choice E. None of the above
Answer: A
78. The Nigeria Customs Service Act was last amended in:
A. 2000 B. 2004 C. 2010 D. 2023 E. 2025
Answer: D
79. Which of these is a Customs enforcement tool?
A. Patrol vans B. Drones C. Scanners D. Firearms E. All of the above
Answer: E
80. The Customs headquarters moved to Abuja in:
A. 1980 B. 1985 C. 1992 D. 1999 E. 2003
Answer: C
81. The antonym of “ancient” is:
A. Old B. Modern C. Antique D. Historic E. Past
Answer: B
82. 10% of ₦5000 is:
A. ₦400 B. ₦450 C. ₦500 D. ₦550 E. ₦600
Answer: C
83. The synonym of “rapid” is:
A. Slow B. Quick C. Steady D. Gradual E. Calm
Answer: B
84. The capital of Rivers State is:
A. Omoku B. Port Harcourt C. Bonny D. Bori E. Degema
Answer: B
85. If 7x = 56, then x =
A. 6 B. 7 C. 8 D. 9 E. 10
Answer: C
86. The antonym of “victory” is:
A. Win B. Success C. Triumph D. Defeat E. Glory
Answer: D
87. The synonym of “assist” is:
A. Help B. Hinder C. Obstruct D. Delay E. Oppose
Answer: A
88. The largest planet in the solar system is:
A. Earth B. Jupiter C. Saturn D. Neptune E. Uranus
Answer: B
89. The synonym of “brave” is:
A. Cowardly B. Courageous C. Fearful D. Timid E. Weak
Answer: B
90. 5² × 3² equals:
A. 15 B. 30 C. 45 D. 225 E. 75
Answer: D
91. The antonym of “transparent” is:
A. Clear B. Opaque C. Glassy D. Translucent E. Bright
Answer: B
92. The capital of Borno State is:
A. Maiduguri B. Damaturu C. Potiskum D. Gombe E. Yola
Answer: A
93. If 4x = 32, then x =
A. 6 B. 7 C. 8 D. 9 E. 10
Answer: C
94. The synonym of “diligent” is:
A. Lazy B. Hard‑working C. Careless D. Slow E. Negligent
Answer: B
95. The Nigeria Customs Service was established in which year?
A. 1891 B. 1960 C. 1975 D. 1981 E. 1999
Answer: A
96. The antonym of “arrival” is:
A. Coming B. Entrance C. Departure D. Approach E. Landing
Answer: C
97. 20% of ₦1500 is:
A. ₦200 B. ₦250 C. ₦300 D. ₦350 E. ₦400
Answer: C
98. The synonym of “generous” is:
A. Mean B. Kind‑hearted C. Selfish D. Greedy E. Harsh
Answer: B
99. The Nigeria Customs Service collaborates with which agency for immigration control?
A. NPF B. NIS C. FRSC D. NDLEA E. NPA
Answer: B
100. The antonym of “increase” is:
A. Rise B. Grow C. Expand D. Decrease E. Multiply
Answer: D
