Ogun Governor abolishes N10,000 job application fee, orders refunds

• The announcement was made in a statement released on Thursday by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Tokunbo Talabi
  

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Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has abolished the N10,000 administrative fee previously required from applicants seeking employment in the state’s civil service.

The governor directed the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission to immediately stop collecting the fee and refund those who had already paid.

The announcement was made in a statement released on Thursday by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Tokunbo Talabi.

Talabi explained that the governor’s decision was motivated by the current economic hardships faced by many Nigerians.

He noted that the job application fee had been in place for decades, charged by the Civil Service Commission to cover the costs of third-party independent examiners responsible for administering and supervising the computer-based tests (CBT) and centres.

“The state government, as a gesture of good faith and in acknowledgment of the current economic situation, has decided to waive the fee for new applications and refund those who have already paid. This move aligns with the ultimate goal of the recruitment exercise, which is to alleviate the suffering of citizens and create employment opportunities in the state,” Talabi stated.

Earlier in the week, the Permanent Secretary of the Civil Service Commission, Mrs. Roseline Jacobs, had announced the government’s intention to fill various vacancies across ministries, departments, and agencies. The positions include roles for medical personnel, accountants, civil, mechanical and electrical engineers, architects, and town planning officers, among others.

Jacobs had previously instructed applicants to obtain application forms from the Civil Service Commission in Abeokuta after paying a non-refundable fee of N10,000. However, with the governor’s new directive, this fee is no longer applicable.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their completed application forms and credentials by Thursday, August 8, 2024. The state government aims to recruit about 500 individuals for these positions.