FG says recruitment waivers for federal tertiary institutions not abolished
The Federal Government has clarified that the recruitment waiver process for federal tertiary institutions remains in force, following reports that President Bola Tinubu had announced the removal of waiver requirements…
Recruitment into federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education has long required a waiver from the Federal Character Commission and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation before institutions can fill vacant academic and non-academic positions. The waiver system was introduced to ensure hiring reflects federal character principles and to centralise oversight of staffing in cash-strapped tertiary institutions, but it has also been criticised by university administrators for slowing down recruitment and worsening staff shortages at a time when many institutions are grappling with underfunding and strike actions.
The clarification follows earlier reports suggesting President Bola Tinubu had scrapped the waiver requirement altogether, a claim that appears to have raised expectations among institutions hoping for more autonomy in hiring. Both Nairametrics and Punch report that the Federal Government has now stepped in to correct that impression, confirming the process remains in place. Neither outlet's coverage indicates what prompted the original reports of abolition, who within government issued the clarification, or whether any modifications to the waiver process are being considered going forward.