The Nasarawa State Government has uncovered a staggering 2,277 illegally employed teachers, following an investigation into the recruitment practices of the state’s Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
The revelation comes after numerous rumors surrounding recruitment scandals within the commission, prompting the state government to suspend the TSC officials and initiate a probe into their activities.
Governor Abdullahi Sule, while receiving the investigative committee’s report on Thursday at the Government House in Lafia, condemned the actions of the suspended TSC officials.
He revealed that instead of recruiting the 1,000 teachers approved by his administration, the TSC went ahead to hire 3,277 teachers, exceeding the limit by more than 200%.
“This is a clear case of going overboard and abusing the process,” Sule said, emphasizing that the recruitment exercise was marred by unethical practices, including allegations of extortion.
The governor expressed concern that many of the teachers were hired without merit, putting at risk the state’s educational standards.
He further threatened to involve security agencies to investigate the claims of bribery, where applicants allegedly paid between N500,000 and N700,000 to secure job placements.
According to the investigative committee’s findings, a bank account was set up to collect these payments, a practice described as “cash and carry” recruitment.
Sule lamented that the influx of teachers not only undermines the merit-based recruitment system but also jeopardizes the state’s effort to improve its educational standards.
“How do we accommodate 3,277 teachers today in Nasarawa State? Where will the funding come from? Where will they be posted?” he questioned, emphasizing that this unsanctioned recruitment has placed unnecessary strain on the state’s educational resources.
The governor reassured the public that his administration would pay the illegally recruited teachers for their services but would terminate their appointments due to their lack of qualifications and improper recruitment process.
“There is no way to keep them. If you posted 200 or 300 teachers to a school that only needs 40, you’re not helping the state,” Sule stated.
He called on the people of Nasarawa to understand that the matter was about the future of the state’s children, and not about political considerations.
He reiterated that his administration is committed to fostering a society built on quality education.
The investigation, led by Chairman Silas Dachor, uncovered that the TSC had disregarded Governor Sule’s directive to recruit only 1,000 teachers. Instead, the commission recruited over three times that number without proper approval.
Dachor also revealed that the recruitment did not reflect the actual needs of schools in the state, nor was it spread fairly across local government areas.
“Hundreds of appointment letters were issued, but many of the recipients remain unposted.
“This amounts to gross insubordination and a disservice to the government and people of Nasarawa State,” Dachor said. He further criticized the process for being selective and for excluding qualified candidates.
The investigative committee’s report highlighted that the recruitment exercise was riddled with inconsistent documentation, haphazard procedures, and unethical practices, which raised serious concerns about transparency and fairness.
Dachor recommended that the government take decisive action to restore order and integrity to the recruitment process.
Governor Sule, acknowledging the thorough work of the investigative committee, expressed his gratitude to its members for their dedication.
He reiterated that restoring sanity to the recruitment process was crucial to safeguarding the future of education in Nasarawa State.
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