… Refund Their Money,Gov Orders
Daud Olatunji
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun is under intense scrutiny following the controversial implementation of a N10,000 ‘job fee’ for civil service applications.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the policy has been a subject of significant criticism, both from the public and activists.
PLATFORM TIMES further gathered that for years, the State government has reportedly collected this fee from job seekers, a practice that has now come under fire.
According to an investigation by PLATFORM TIMES, applicants—both successful and unsuccessful—were required to pay this non-refundable fee before submitting their employment forms.
The revelation has sparked outrage among many, leading to widespread condemnation.
The controversy escalated when Omoyele Sowore, leader of the Revolution Now movement, called for a protest in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Sowore criticised Governor Abiodun on Twitter, condemning the fee as extortion.
Sowore’s remarks highlighted the perceived injustice of charging unemployed youths for job applications, calling it an unprecedented exploitation.
Sowore announced that a large-scale protest would take place on August 10, 2024, as part of the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria campaign.
He added that the protest aims to address not only the job fee issue but also to draw attention to the state’s infrastructural deficiencies.
Sowore urged Ogun State’s unemployed youth to participate, emphasizing that this protest would also be a part of a broader national movement against poor governance.
The backlash on social media was swift, with many netizens expressing their discontent and using strong language against the governor.
The growing discontent led the state government to act quickly.
The statement read “ Ogun State Governor (Eleyi), Dapo Abiodun @DapoAbiodunCON MAN, is probably the worst governor in Nigeria today; he wakes up daily to rob and loot his state and now adds extortion of unemployed youths to his resume.
“He’s currently asking youth seeking employment in the state to pay a non-refundable amount of N10k to apply for jobs. This is unprecedented.
“This extortion must be cancelled immediately and ALL refunds made; however, we are ALSO calling on all Ogun state unemployed youth to troop out on August 10, 2024, for a special edition and grand finale of the first ten days of the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria revolt #DaysofRage in Kuto, Abeokuta, Ogun state.
“ This action also would bring attention to the terrible infrastructure conditions in the state.
“The same applies to youths in other federation states with mostly irresponsible state governors.
“THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT IN ANY WAY, SHAPE OR FORM THE ONGOING GLOBAL #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria #DAysOfRage, which will be holding its GRAND FINALE of its 1st 10-Day uprising on August 10th, 2024.”any netizens while reacting called the governor many unprintable names over the development.”
In response to the criticism and the looming protest, Governor Abiodun ordered an immediate refund of the N10,000 fees.
A statement from Ojo Emmanuel, a media aide to the governor, confirmed that Abiodun had directed the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission to refund all administrative fees related to the recruitment process.
The statement explained that these fees, historically charged by independent examiners, would now be waived.
It said that the governor’s decision was framed as a gesture of goodwill, acknowledging the current economic difficulties and the primary goal of the recruitment exercise: to alleviate citizens’ suffering and create employment opportunities.
The statement read “ The @OGSG_Official Governor, Prince @DapoAbiodunCON has directed the Chairman, Civil Service Commission, to refund ALL administrative fees currently being charged in relation to the ongoing recruitment exercise into the civil service.
“The directive of the Governor was communicated via a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government and addressed to the Chairman, Civil Service Commission, notwithstanding the fact that these are standard and historical fees which 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 CBT Test and Centres.
“The State Government has, as a gesture of good faith and in acknowledgement of the current economic situation in the country and also taking into consideration the ultimate aim of this recruitment exercise, i.e. to alleviate the sufferings of the citizens and create employment in the state; instructed the immediate refund of fees paid and a waiver of fees for any new applications.
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