NAQS Shortlisted Candidates 2026: How to Check Your Recruitment Status and CBT Update

Welcome to ScholarCareHub.com.ng, Here on this page, we share the latest information about the NAQS Shortlisted Candidates 2026, including how to check your recruitment status, CBT update, and other important update you need to know.

If you applied for the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) Recruitment 2026, the important question is no longer whether applications are still open. The application phase has closed, and NAQS has moved the recruitment exercise to the next stage.

Applicants can check their recruitment status through the official NAQS recruitment portal using their Application Number and National Identification Number (NIN).

NAQS initially scheduled the publication of shortlisted candidates for August 13, 2026, but the agency later postponed the release to allow for a more thorough and accurate screening process. The service subsequently announced that application status was available for checking and that applicants who progressed to the next stage should prepare for an online Computer-Based Test (CBT) beginning August 20, 2026.

This article explains the latest NAQS shortlist update, how to check your application status, what the status means, the CBT information, what to do after checking, and how to avoid fake recruitment messages.

NAQS Shortlist 2026: Latest Update

The 2026 NAQS recruitment has progressed beyond the application stage.

The official recruitment portal states that the application phase has concluded and that submitted applications are under review. The portal also provides a dedicated Status Check page where applicants can enter their Application Number and NIN to view their recruitment status.

NAQS previously announced that the shortlist originally scheduled for August 13 was postponed. The agency explained that additional time was needed to ensure a thorough, transparent and accurate process.

The subsequent recruitment update made application statuses available through the official portal.

Therefore, applicants should not rely on an old August article saying that the shortlist had not been released.

Instead, each applicant should check their individual recruitment status directly through the official portal.

NAQS Recruitment 2026 at a Glance

Information	Current update
Recruiting agency	Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS)
Recruitment year	2026
Application status	Closed
Application opening date	July 28, 2026
Application closing date	August 10, 2026
Application fee	Free
Shortlist/status	Application status available online
Status checker	Official NAQS recruitment portal
Information required	Application Number and NIN
CBT	Online CBT announced for applicants who progressed
CBT commencement	August 20, 2026
Official recruitment portal	recruitment.naqs.gov.ng

The original recruitment timetable was subsequently changed, so applicants should not continue relying on the August 13 shortlisting date or August 15 CBT date contained in the initial vacancy notice.

What Is NAQS?

The Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) is a regulatory agency under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

Its mandate includes preventing the introduction, establishment and spread of exotic pests, diseases and contaminants affecting plants, animals and aquatic resources and their products.

NAQS also plays a role in agricultural quarantine, inspection, certification and enforcement of sanitary and phytosanitary measures connected with agricultural trade.

The agency's responsibilities cover areas such as plant quarantine, animal quarantine and aquatic resources quarantine.

Has NAQS Released the 2026 Shortlist?

Yes, the recruitment process has moved to the stage where applicants can check their individual application status.

However, applicants should understand an important distinction.

NAQS has provided an online status-checking system rather than directing applicants to depend on an unofficial PDF circulating on blogs, WhatsApp, Facebook or Telegram.

The official status-check page asks applicants to provide their:

Application Number
NIN

After submitting the required information, the portal displays the applicant's recruitment status.

Therefore, if you want to know whether your own application progressed to the next stage, the safest method is to check directly through the official NAQS recruitment portal.

How to Check NAQS Shortlisted Candidates 2026

Follow these steps to check your NAQS recruitment status.

Step 1: Visit the Official NAQS Recruitment Portal

Go to the official NAQS recruitment platform:

recruitment.naqs.gov.ng

Avoid clicking recruitment links sent through random WhatsApp groups, Telegram channels or social media accounts.

Step 2: Open the Status Check Page

Select the application-status checking option on the recruitment portal.

The official status checker requires an Application Number and NIN.

Step 3: Enter Your Application Number

Enter the Application Number associated with your NAQS recruitment application.

Check the number carefully before submitting it.

Step 4: Enter Your NIN

Enter the National Identification Number you used during the recruitment process.

Make sure there are no unnecessary spaces or incorrect digits.

Step 5: Submit Your Details

Submit the information and wait for the portal to process your request.

Your recruitment status should then be displayed.

Step 6: Follow Any Instruction Shown

If your application has progressed to another stage, carefully read any instruction displayed on the portal.

Do not assume that every applicant will receive the same instruction.

What Information Do I Need to Check My NAQS Status?

The official status-check page requires:

Application Number
NIN

Keep these details private.

You do not need to give your NIN to a stranger, agent or social-media administrator to check your recruitment status.

What Does It Mean If My NAQS Status Shows That I Have Progressed?

If your status indicates that your application has progressed to the next stage, it means you have moved beyond the relevant initial screening stage.

However, progression should not be interpreted as a final employment offer.

Recruitment exercises normally involve further assessment and verification before final appointments are made.

Applicants whose status indicates progression should therefore follow the instructions provided by NAQS and continue monitoring their registered email address and recruitment dashboard.

NAQS CBT 2026: What Applicants Should Know

NAQS announced that applicants whose status showed progression to the next stage should prepare for an online Computer-Based Test.

The CBT was announced to commence from August 20, 2026, through the recruitment portal.

Further scheduling information was to be communicated to eligible applicants through their registered email addresses.

Because individual instructions can differ, applicants should not rely on a single CBT date or time circulated on social media.

Check the information connected to your own application.

Is the NAQS CBT Physical or Online?

The recruitment update announced by NAQS stated that the CBT would be conducted online through the recruitment portal.

Therefore, applicants should not automatically travel to a physical examination centre based on information received from an unofficial source.

If NAQS issues a new instruction, that official instruction should take priority.

What Should I Do If My NAQS Status Is Still Under Review?

If your application status does not show progression, do not immediately pay someone claiming they can change it.

Recruitment applicants should rely on the official portal and official NAQS communication.

If the portal displays an unexpected message:

Recheck your Application Number.
Recheck your NIN.
Make sure you are using the official recruitment website.
Try again later if the portal is experiencing technical problems.
Check the email account used during registration.
Keep evidence of your original application.
Wait for official communication where necessary.

Do not hand over your login details or NIN to an unknown person.

NAQS Recruitment 2026 Application Deadline

The original NAQS recruitment application opened on July 28, 2026 and closed on August 10, 2026.

The application phase is now closed.

This means new applicants should not expect to submit an application through the 2026 recruitment portal unless NAQS officially announces a new recruitment exercise or reopens the application process.

Anyone claiming to have a private link for late applications should be treated with caution.

Was the NAQS Application Free?

Yes.

The official recruitment notice stated that the application was free.

Applicants should not pay anyone for:

Shortlisting
CBT access
Changing recruitment status
Appointment
Training placement
Special consideration
"Guaranteed" employment
Changing an application
Obtaining a recruitment letter

NAQS has also warned that it will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process.

Important NAQS Recruitment Scam Warning

Recruitment exercises attract many fraudulent websites, fake social-media accounts and individuals who claim to have inside access to government recruitment.

Some may offer:

Fake shortlist PDFs
Fake CBT questions
Fake training invitations
Fake appointment letters
Fake medical-screening instructions
Paid "shortlisting"
Paid status changes

NAQS has specifically warned applicants about false recruitment information and fake claims concerning training.

Do not assume a message is genuine simply because it contains the NAQS name or logo.

Always compare important information with the official NAQS recruitment platform or an official NAQS announcement.

Do Not Rely on Unofficial Shortlist PDFs

One of the most important points for applicants is that an unofficial PDF should not be treated as proof that you were shortlisted.

If someone publishes a document online and claims that it contains the NAQS shortlist, verify the information through the official recruitment portal.

Your personal recruitment status is more important than a screenshot or list shared by another person.

What Happened to the Original August 13 Shortlist Date?

The original NAQS recruitment notice scheduled the shortlisting of successful candidates for August 13, 2026.

However, NAQS later announced that it could not release the shortlist on that date.

The agency explained that the postponement was necessary to ensure a thorough, transparent and accurate recruitment process.

Applicants were asked to remain patient while a new update was being prepared.

NAQS subsequently made application statuses available for checking and announced the next CBT stage for applicants whose applications progressed.

This is why older articles saying "NAQS shortlist will be released on August 13" should no longer be treated as the latest information.

NAQS Recruitment Cadres

The 2026 recruitment exercise covered different categories of positions.

These included:

Superintendent Cadre

This category included professional positions such as:

Chief Superintendent of Quarantine
Deputy Superintendent of Quarantine
Assistant Superintendent of Quarantine

Requirements depended on the particular position.

Inspectorate Cadre

The Inspectorate category included positions such as Inspector of Quarantine.

The educational requirement depended on the advertised position.

Assistant Cadre

The recruitment also included Quarantine Assistant positions for applicants who met the relevant educational requirements.

Applicants should always distinguish between the general recruitment requirements and the specific requirements attached to the position they applied for.

General NAQS Recruitment Requirements

The original vacancy announcement included requirements such as:

Nigerian citizenship by birth
Valid NIN
Medical fitness
Required educational qualification for the chosen position
Good character
No criminal conviction
Computer literacy
Compliance with the specified physical requirements
Other position-specific conditions contained in the recruitment notice

The notice also contained specific physical requirements, including minimum height and chest measurements for applicable applicants.

Because these requirements belonged to the original recruitment announcement, applicants should not assume that they automatically apply to a future NAQS recruitment exercise.

For future recruitment, the latest official vacancy notice should always be treated as the controlling document.

What Happens After the CBT?

The exact subsequent stages depend on official instructions issued by NAQS.

Applicants who progressed through the CBT stage may be required to undergo additional processes such as:

Further screening
Documentation verification
Interviews
Medical assessment
Credential verification
Other recruitment checks

Progressing from one stage does not by itself constitute a final appointment.

Applicants should therefore keep their original certificates and identification documents available.

What If You Did Not Progress to the Next Stage?

If your status does not indicate progression, avoid anyone who claims that they can change the result for a fee.

Do not pay money to an individual promising to add your name to a shortlist.

A legitimate recruitment process should be verified through official communication and the designated recruitment system.

If NAQS provides a formal avenue for enquiries or complaints, applicants should use that channel rather than unofficial agents.

What Applicants Should Do Now

If you participated in the 2026 NAQS recruitment, these are the practical steps to take:

1. Check Your Application Status

Use the official NAQS status-check page with your Application Number and NIN.

2. Monitor Your Email

Check the email address used during registration regularly.

Also check the spam or junk folder.

3. Keep Your Application Details Safe

Do not lose your Application Number or other information connected to your application.

4. Follow Official Instructions

If your status shows progression, follow the instructions attached to your application.

5. Avoid Unofficial Payments

Do not pay someone who claims they can guarantee employment or alter your status.

6. Ignore Fake Training Information

Do not report to a training location simply because someone sends you a message on WhatsApp or Facebook.

Wait for official instructions.

NAQS Official Recruitment Portal

The official recruitment portal used for the 2026 exercise is:

recruitment.naqs.gov.ng

The official status checker requires an Application Number and NIN.

Applicants should type the official address carefully and avoid similarly named websites.

Disclaimer

This article is provided for informational purposes and is not affiliated with the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service or the Federal Character Commission. Recruitment dates, screening arrangements, eligibility requirements and subsequent stages may change when an official update is issued. Applicants should verify important information through official NAQS channels before taking action.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the NAQS recruitment application still open?

No. The 2026 application period closed on August 10, 2026.

What was the original NAQS shortlist date?

The original recruitment timetable listed August 13, 2026. NAQS later postponed the publication.

When did the NAQS CBT begin?

NAQS announced that the online CBT for applicants who progressed to the next stage would begin from August 20, 2026.

Do I need to pay someone to check my status?

No. Applicants can use the official status-check system themselves. Do not pay an individual claiming to have special access.

Does being shortlisted mean I have been employed?

No. Progression to another recruitment stage does not automatically constitute a final appointment.

What if someone sends me a NAQS training message?

Verify it through official NAQS channels before taking any action. Do not report to an unofficial location or pay money based solely on a social-media or WhatsApp message.

Final NAQS Shortlist Update

The NAQS 2026 recruitment exercise has moved beyond the application stage.

The application period ran from July 28 to August 10, 2026. The agency initially scheduled shortlisting for August 13 but postponed the publication while it carried out further screening.

NAQS subsequently made application statuses available through its recruitment portal and announced an online CBT beginning August 20 for applicants whose applications progressed to the next stage.

The safest way to determine your recruitment status is therefore to use the official NAQS status checker with your Application Number and NIN rather than relying on unofficial shortlist PDFs, WhatsApp messages or paid agents.

Applicants should also remember that progressing to a recruitment stage does not automatically mean final employment.

Official NAQS Status Checker

recruitment.naqs.gov.ng/check-application-status/

Official NAQS Recruitment Portal

recruitment.naqs.gov.n