The government said it acknowledges that the country’s current economic situation had also considered the ultimate aim of the recruitment exercise

Sodiq Rabiu

Nigeria’s Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has ordered the Ogun civil service commission chairman to refund all administrative fees collected from jobseekers.

Tokunbo Talabi, the secretary to the state government, made this known in a statement on Thursday.

Governor Abiodun directed the commission to refund all administrative fees, even though these are standard and historical fees that have been in place for decades.

“These fees are charged by the civil service commission on behalf of third-party independent examiners who administer and supervise the computer-based test (CBT),” the government claimed.

The government said it acknowledges that the country’s current economic situation had also considered the ultimate aim of the recruitment exercise.

“The aim is to alleviate the suffering of the citizens and create employment in the state.  This necessitates the directives to immediately refund fees paid along with a waiver for any new applications,” the government said.

Governor Abiodun had asked jobseekers to pay N10,000 to complete the application form. In a memo signed by the permanent secretary secretary commission, Jacob R.O, on behalf of the civil service commission, the government said each candidate is to obtain tellers from the commission on payment of the non-refundable fee of N10,000.

“Applicants are to obtain tellers from Room A261 at the Civil Service Commission for application form on payment of a non-refundable fee of ten thousand Naira (N10,000) per candidate. The application forms and other credentials should be submitted to the office of the Director, Appointment and Transfer (Civil Service Commission) Block A, Room A233, state secretariat complex Oke-Mosan, in Abeokuta,” the memo stated. 

The demand generated harsh reactions and condemnation, particularly from youths of the state.

It is not the first time the Abiodun government has demanded payment from prospective applicants for civil service. In 2019, applicants such as messengers, mortuary attendants, cooks, and health attendants seeking employment at the state-owned Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, were asked to pay N5,000 for an application form.

Also, those applying as registrars were mandated to pay an additional N2,500 to obtain the residency handbook, totalling N7,500.

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