Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has ordered the Civil Service Commission to reimburse all fees associated with the current recruitment process.
This directive was announced by Tokunbo Talabi, Secretary to the State Government, in a statement released on Thursday in Abeokuta.
News About Nigeria reports that the governor’s directive applies to all administrative fees, despite their long-standing nature.
“These fees are typically collected by the Civil Service Commission to cover the costs of independent examiners who oversee the computer-based testing process,” the statement reads.
“The government has acknowledged the prevailing economic conditions in the country and has considered the primary objective of the recruitment exercise.
The governor’s decision was prompted by a call to action from Omoyele Sowore, a prominent political figure, who urged citizens to protest in the state capital.
Sowore had previously expressed his disapproval of the recruitment fees on social media, characterising them as exploitative.
He said that it was unfair to expect young people who are already facing financial difficulties to pay for job applications.
This criticism stated the need for the government to reconsider the fee and its impact on the community.
In a distinct development, the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission announced that local government area elections will be held on November 16, 2024.
News About Nigeria understands that the commission has set August 8, 2024, as the date for releasing the electoral guidelines and holding a stakeholders’ meeting, with political campaigns slated to begin on August 9, 2024.
On July 11, the Supreme Court declared that it is unconstitutional for state governors to hold funds allocated for local government administrations.
