BREAKING: Federal Universities begin fresh recruitment to replace old lecturers – Reports

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Federal universities and other higher institutions of learning across Nigeria have commenced fresh recruitment of academic and non-teaching staff to replace workers lost to retirement and mass migration, The PUNCH has gathered.

The development follows the reversal of the employment ban on tertiary institutions previously imposed by the administration of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari. The restriction was lifted by President Bola Tinubu’s government to address critical manpower gaps.

In a statement, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, explained that the Federal Ministry of Education would strictly supervise the recruitment exercise to ensure due process. He stressed that institutions must first obtain waivers before initiating employment.

He said, “This directive aims to ensure a transparent, open, and competitive recruitment process that offers equal opportunity to all eligible Nigerians. In addition, all federal tertiary institutions are reminded to submit their recruitment needs to the ministry for review by the Committee on Waiver and Recruitment. The ministry has put in place adequate mechanisms to ensure compliance and will not hesitate to sanction any institution that fails to adhere to this directive.”

Nigeria’s tertiary education sector has faced significant staff shortages over the years, worsened by the exodus of academics and administrators in the trend popularly called japa. Replacements for retirees and deceased staff were also stalled during the embargo.

The immediate past President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Prof. Victor Osodeke, lamented the effect of the ban, noting that it left lecturers overwhelmed.

Similarly, Prof. Ikechukwu Onyishi of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, highlighted the toll on institutions. He said, “Many lecturers have retired, some died on active duty, while others resigned and left the country in search of greener pastures due to poor pay and benefits in public universities.”

Checks by The PUNCH revealed that several leading institutions have already published job adverts, including the University of Lagos, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, University of Port Harcourt, University of Calabar, University of Ibadan, University of Maiduguri, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Federal University of Education, Pankshin, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila-Orangun, and the Federal College of Education, Yola, among others.

Education rights advocate, Ayodamola Oluwatoyin, welcomed the development but urged fairness in the process.

He stated, “We at Reform Education Nigeria are pleased with the news, as this will reduce the burden on lecturers. However, we appeal to institutions to ensure free and fair recruitment and give opportunities to qualified young academics.”

Confirming the ministry’s commitment, the Director of Press, Folasade Boriowo, told The PUNCH that the Education Ministry would closely monitor the entire exercise to guarantee transparency.

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