How to Check Your Name on a Nigerian Recruitment Shortlist

Shortlist season triggers a wave of fake PDFs circulating on WhatsApp. Here is how to verify your name the right way.

The one rule

Only trust shortlist PDFs hosted on a .gov.ng domain. Everything else - WhatsApp forwards, Facebook screenshots, "agent" messages, lookalike URLs - is unreliable.

Where to check for each agency

• Nigeria Police: recruitment.npf.gov.ng - the same portal you applied through
• CDCFIB (NSCDC/NCoS/FFS/NIS): cdcfib.gov.ng - shortlist tab
• Nigerian Army: recruitment.army.mil.ng and the parade-ground notice board
• Air Force: naf.career.gov.ng
• Customs: vacancy.customs.gov.ng
• NDLEA: recruitment.ndlea.gov.ng

The 4-step verification

1. Visit the official portal by typing the URL in your browser. Don't click a WhatsApp link.
2. Log in with the account you used to apply.
3. Check the "Status" or "Shortlist" section. Your status will show "Shortlisted", "Not Shortlisted" or "Pending".
4. Download the PDF only from the portal. Verify the URL in the browser bar starts with the agency's .gov.ng domain.

If your name isn't on the shortlist

• Don't pay anyone to add your name. Nobody can modify an official shortlist for a fee - every attempt is a scam.
• Check if there's a reserve list. Some agencies publish backup names.
• Reapply in the next cycle. Being not-shortlisted this year doesn't disqualify you next year.
• Consider alternatives: NSCDC/NCoS/FFS/NIS apply through the same board, so try the service with lower competition.

Red flags for fake shortlists

• PDF hosted on .com, .org, .net or a Google Drive link
• "Click here to pay NGN X to confirm your slot"
• Names in a messy, unformatted Excel-style layout
• Agency letterhead that's slightly off (wrong font, wrong seal)
• "Insider" sharing it ahead of official announcement

What to do if you've paid a scam

1. Stop all communication with the scammer immediately.
2. Screenshot the chat and keep evidence.
3. Report to EFCC: 0809 326 3322 or efcc.gov.ng/report.
4. Report to the agency (NPF: [email protected], etc).
5. Report the WhatsApp number/account to WhatsApp for impersonation.

Related: How to apply for Nigeria Police recruitment, Avoiding recruitment scams in Nigeria.