Nigeria: Jobs for Sale

3 October 2012
editorial

Nigerians in positions of authority never disappoint when it comes to taking advantage of their compatriots in need. Evidence of this abounds now in the employment market, especially in the public sector. Not too long ago, one government agency came out to denounce what was going on in its office where syndicates with tentacles in its head office were allegedly charging a princely N250,000 for each candidate applying for a job. But the condemnation was merely for public consumption. There are only two ways of getting a job into the agency: a letter from a highly placed public officer or a bribe.

This ugly situation is not peculiar to that agency. Recently in the federal civil service, prospective candidates were advised to get a form, fill it and return hard copy. Getting the form made cutting the proverbial Gordian knot look like a piece of cake. Candidates were subjected to horrifying experiences at the Federal Civil Service Club, venue of the exercise, in an effort to access this form. That directive later changed when candidates were asked to fill the form online. That would have been more humane if it were not a polished attempt to hoodwink the candidates, because the civil service internet system was not functional. Meanwhile, letters of employment have been going to those who did not have to lift a finger. Candidates were also asked to produce their first school leaving certificate, even though the examination was abolished decades ago and most of the candidates did not write it.

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