What was supposed to be a simple update has become a digital nightmare for thousands of Nigerians applying for positions in the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Fire Service (FFS), Nigeria Immigration Service ( NIS) and Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).
This is because, in what applicants have described as “a bitter slap from the system,” confusion, heartbreak, and growing panic have taken over the ongoing process of update by the initially successful applicants.
Disturbed applicants who confided in LEADERSHIP Sunday are lamenting that rather than update their records as instructed, those who have initiated the process were greeted with disorienting changes ranging from being assigned wrong paramilitary agencies, altered ranks, inaccurate birth dates and even switched reference numbers.
In their words, “The very portal meant to fix technical errors seems to have introduced a new wave of digital disqualification.”
When LEADERSHIP Sunday visited several cyber cafés in Abuja and monitored the social media platforms of all the paramilitary agencies under the board, our correspondent gathered that trouble began after the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) announced that all applicants who submitted their details before the recent system glitches and upgrade must now access and update their applications via a new portal: https://update.cdcfib.gov.ng.”
The official statement, signed by Maj. Gen. A.M. Jibril (rtd.) and obtained by LEADERSHIP Sunday, instructed candidates to verify and complete their records, adding that a new slip bearing the same Application ID would be generated. It also warned that any new applications submitted after the upgrade would override previous data and would not appear on the update portal.”
It read partly, “All records for applicants who submitted their details prior to the recent upgrade can now be accessed via https://update.cdcfib.gov.ng. Applicants are advised to verify their information and complete the submission process. Upon successful completion, an application slip will be generated with the same Application ID previously generated.
“It is important to note that this portal is strictly for applicants who submitted their applications before the system upgrade. If you have submitted a new application after the upgrade, your latest submission will override any previous entries and will not be visible on this update portal.”
Sadly, LEADERSHIP Sunday gathered , that instead of bringing clarity, the new process, posted late Friday, August 1, 2025, and titled “Update On Application Records and Portal Access , has left many applicants reeling.
We Did Everything Right , Now The System Is Throwing Us Out.”
The visibly disturbed applicants who stated that rather than deceive them, the CDCFIB should have tagged the Friday night statement as “Update on how to lose your chance, “say they are shocked to find their paramilitary agency changed, ranks downgraded, birth dates altered, and even reference numbers scrambled , all without any action on their part.
An applicant, Blessing I, who spoke to our correspondent amid tears said, “I applied for Immigration, but now it’s showing Civil Defence. This could ruin everything for me. Why am I being punished for a system error?”
Another applicant, who gave his name simply as Emeka J., a HND holder, said, “My rank changed from ASI to Artisan Driver, and the system even reduced my age by one day. That could lead to automatic disqualification. Who do I hold responsible?”
On his part, Tunde O. said, “My application now shows a completely different reference number. That’s fraud, and I didn’t do it. This is how they’ll silently disqualify thousands
Outrage Spills Online
LEADERSHIP Sunday notes that this latest issue has triggered a wave of real-time frustration online:
@Rylance_: “Pls, I am having issues. I applied for NIS but upon retrieving my application now am seeing another agency … Pls what can I do to ratify it???
@Ephp: “Someone who applied for ASI is now Artisan Driver, and her DOB was auto-modified. Disqualifying people digitally?”
@OooooHigh: “My form now says NIS instead of FFS. Where’s the fix for this?”
How can I go from FFS to NIS overnight? Who’s behind this mess?” asked Khadijat M, another applicant whose reference number now points to the wrong agency.
Applicants say they feel punished for trusting the system. Some even fear they’ll be disqualified for falsified information information that they never submitted in the first place.
“They said the pro was to check and update, but they’ve wrecked everything. Who do we complain to now?”
Emmanuel Oladipupo @Ephp:
Replying to @CDCFIBNG @BTOofficial
Said, “Someone registered, instead of her position being ASI I(General duty)the system automatically fix Immigration Assistant (GD/ Artisan/Driver) and she is HND holder and her date of birth also reduced by the system, submitted.
She registered after 21/07/25. What can she do pls?
Trivia.king @henryvancouch : 13h
Replying to @CDCFIBNG @BTOofficial
My reference number changed to a different one entirely, compared to the one I got earlier
@CDCFIBNG @BTOofficial @Fedfireng
This Is Not Our Fault — Applicants Demand Action:
Patience Eddy had this to say, “We did our part. We applied correctly. The system failed us , and now we’re being set up for rejection. What will happen to those of us who spent weeks preparing for screening.
Sani Lawal said, “This isn’t an upgrade. It’s sabotage. Lawal, whose slip now points to a different agency than what he applied for lamented bitterly.
Applicants Demand Correction Window
Affected applicants are urgently calling for a dedicated correction window that allows them to fix system-generated errors such as wrong agency selection, altered ranks, birth date discrepancies, and changed reference numbers.
These glitches they say, are not the fault of the applicants, yet they risk automatic disqualification if not addressed promptly.
Effiong Edim appealed that a correction process with clear steps, timelines, and support channels be created a it is essential to ensure fairness and restore trust in the recruitment exercise.
Others appealed to the Board to, in the face of widespread errors and mounting confusion, immediately set up a functional complaint resolution desk.
They suggested this should include a dedicated email address, hotline, or online form where affected individuals can promptly report issues and receive timely, documented responses.
They argued that the absence of any clear support channel has left many stranded and voiceless, deepening frustration and eroding confidence in the recruitment process.
The applicants also called urgently for a clearly communicated deadline extension to allow adequate time to verify and correct system-induced errors on the updated portal.
They said, “Since many of us only discovered issues such as wrong agencies, altered ranks, or changed reference numbers after the August 1 update, closing the portal without effecting the necessary corrections, we fear, would unfairly disqualify us.
“With no correction mechanism or support in place, an extension is not just necessary, it’s the only fair way to ensure that qualified candidates aren’t penalised for technical failures beyond their control,” Ruth Ngamma stated.
Ngamma added, “The silence from the CDCFIB and relevant agencies is only adding to the storm. There has been no immediate mechanism to escalate errors, no dedicated support contact, and no clarity on whether these glitches will cost people their shot at recruitment.”
“Since they now know that the system glitched, they should extend the update period and open a correction window. This is not our fault,” urged Nkechi Obi, another affected applicant.
“We didn’t hack our own applications. The Board must take responsibility and fix this quickly,” said Idris Lawal, who now fears he has been completely wiped from the portal
Another applicant , Nyam Terso lamented, “Thousands of young Nigerians are ready to serve their country. All they’re asking for is a fair shot and a functioning system. The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board must step up, or risk denying qualified candidates their rightful place.” He added
LEADERSHIP Sunday reports that, as of the time of filing this report, the Board has yet to officially announce any complaint resolution channel, correction window, or deadline extension, leaving thousands in limbo and frustrated.
However, when contacted, a top source at the board who pleaded not to be named acknowledge the distress and confusion caused by recent system updates and assured applicants that its engineers are actively working to rectify all technical anomalies.
He explained that the harmless portal upgrade was intended to streamline the recruitment process for those who applied before the system hitch, not to invalidate or disrupt valid submissions.
He emphasised that the update portal is strictly for previously submitted applications, and that generating a new application after the upgrade would override earlier entries,, applicants must use the update portal to maintain their original data and Application ID.
The source further clarified that any issues such as misassigned paramilitary agencies, incorrect ranks, altered birth dates, or scrambled reference numbers are not reflective of applicants’ input, but are instead consequences of the ongoing system adjustment.
He urged affected individuals to remain patient as a full technical audit is underway. While regretting the unintended disruptions, he promised CDCFIB’s continuous updates and support until all data discrepancies are resolved, reaffirming their commitment to a transparent and merit-based recruitment procedures
As frustration boils over, applicants are demanding transparency, urgency, and a fair chance.
