The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) recruitment is one of the most competitive federal government exercises in Nigeria. Thousands of applicants apply every year hoping to join the agency in its fight against drug trafficking and abuse. After the application stage closes, one of the most important updates every applicant waits for is the release of the shortlisted candidates list.
The NDLEA Shortlisted Candidates 2025/2026 PDF contains the names of all applicants who successfully scaled through the initial online application stage and are invited for the next round of screening. In this article, we will explain what the shortlist means, how to check and download it, the next steps after shortlisting, and also provide a state-by-state guide to NDLEA recruitment centers.
What Does the NDLEA Shortlist Mean?
When NDLEA opens recruitment, thousands of Nigerians submit applications. But not everyone qualifies to move to the next stage. The shortlist is the agency’s way of filtering applicants who:
- Meet the basic requirements – Only those who meet the age, qualification, and nationality criteria are selected.
- Submitted valid documents – Certificates and personal details are verified before shortlisting.
- Have no disqualifying records – Those with criminal records or falsified documents are excluded.
Being shortlisted does not mean final employment. It only means you have crossed the first stage and are now eligible to attend physical screening.
Format of the Shortlist
The NDLEA usually publishes the shortlist in PDF format for easy download and access. The PDF is often organized state by state, making it simple for candidates to check their names under their respective states of origin.
Each state section contains:
- Candidate’s full name
- Application number/reference ID
- Position or cadre applied for
- Screening date and center
How to Check and Download the Shortlist
Though the process is simple, many applicants miss steps or become confused. The correct way to check the NDLEA shortlist includes:
- Visit the official NDLEA recruitment portal https://ndlea.gov.ng and scroll to career section.
- Look for the section titled “Shortlisted Candidates 2025/2026”.
- Click the link to download the PDF file.
- Open the file and scroll to your state of origin.
- Check for your name and application number in the list.
Applicants are encouraged to print a copy of the shortlist page where their names appear, as it will be useful during screening.
What Happens After Being Shortlisted?
Once you see your name in the shortlist, it is a call to prepare for the next stage of recruitment, which is usually the screening exercise. This stage involves:
- Credential Verification: Checking the authenticity of certificates.
- Height and Physical Standards: Ensuring candidates meet the height and fitness requirements.
- Medical Examination: Screening to confirm applicants are healthy and free from drugs.
- Written or Aptitude Test: In some intakes, candidates may be required to write a test.
Only those who pass the physical and medical screening will be considered for final training and eventual employment.
Documents Required at Screening
Shortlisted candidates must report at their designated centers with both original and photocopies of the following:
- Birth certificate or age declaration
- Educational certificates (SSCE, ND, NCE, HND, BSc as applicable)
- Certificate of state of origin
- National ID or any government-issued identification
- Passport photographs
- Printed acknowledgment slip from the application portal
Additionally, candidates are expected to come in white T-shirt, white shorts, white socks, and white canvas shoes for easy identification and physical fitness tests.
Why the Shortlist is Important
The release of the shortlist is a big deal because:
- It separates serious candidates from casual applicants.
- It gives applicants clarity on their progress.
- It provides details of where and when to appear for screening.
- It is the gateway to securing final employment with NDLEA.
Without being shortlisted, no applicant can participate in the physical screening exercise.
NDLEA Shortlisted Candidates 2025/2026 – State by State Centers
Below is a guide to the NDLEA state screening centers where shortlisted candidates will usually report. (Note: As with the Army, NDLEA often uses its state command headquarters or nearby federal facilities in each state.)
| State | Likely NDLEA Screening/Recruitment Center |
|---|---|
| Abia | NDLEA Abia Command, Umuahia |
| Adamawa | NDLEA Adamawa Command, Yola |
| Akwa Ibom | NDLEA Akwa Ibom Command, Uyo |
| Anambra | NDLEA Anambra Command, Awka |
| Bauchi | NDLEA Bauchi Command, Bauchi |
| Bayelsa | NDLEA Bayelsa Command, Yenagoa |
| Benue | NDLEA Benue Command, Makurdi |
| Borno | NDLEA Borno Command, Maiduguri |
| Cross River | NDLEA Cross River Command, Calabar |
| Delta | NDLEA Delta Command, Asaba |
| Ebonyi | NDLEA Ebonyi Command, Abakaliki |
| Edo | NDLEA Edo Command, Benin City |
| Ekiti | NDLEA Ekiti Command, Ado-Ekiti |
| Enugu | NDLEA Enugu Command, Enugu |
| FCT (Abuja) | NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja |
| Gombe | NDLEA Gombe Command, Gombe |
| Imo | NDLEA Imo Command, Owerri |
| Jigawa | NDLEA Jigawa Command, Dutse |
| Kaduna | NDLEA Kaduna Command, Kaduna |
| Kano | NDLEA Kano Command, Kano |
| Katsina | NDLEA Katsina Command, Katsina |
| Kebbi | NDLEA Kebbi Command, Birnin Kebbi |
| Kogi | NDLEA Kogi Command, Lokoja |
| Kwara | NDLEA Kwara Command, Ilorin |
| Lagos | NDLEA Lagos Command, Ikoyi Lagos |
| Nasarawa | NDLEA Nasarawa Command, Lafia |
| Niger | NDLEA Niger Command, Minna |
| Ogun | NDLEA Ogun Command, Abeokuta |
| Ondo | NDLEA Ondo Command, Akure |
| Osun | NDLEA Osun Command, Osogbo |
| Oyo | NDLEA Oyo Command, Ibadan |
| Plateau | NDLEA Plateau Command, Jos |
| Rivers | NDLEA Rivers Command, Port Harcourt |
| Sokoto | NDLEA Sokoto Command, Sokoto |
| Taraba | NDLEA Taraba Command, Jalingo |
| Yobe | NDLEA Yobe Command, Damaturu |
| Zamfara | NDLEA Zamfara Command, Gusau |
Conclusion
The NDLEA Shortlisted Candidates 2025/2026 PDF is a vital stage in the recruitment process. It confirms which applicants are eligible to attend the next round of screening and physical verification. Candidates are strongly advised to download the PDF, check for their names under their state, and prepare adequately for the upcoming exercises.
With discipline, honesty, and preparation, shortlisted candidates stand a good chance of moving from this stage to the final training schools and eventually wearing the NDLEA uniform.
