Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has revealed that approximately 80% of secondary school teachers who were illegally recruited in the state are unable to write an acceptance letter. He firmly stated that his administration will not integrate these individuals, who were employed by the now-suspended Teachers’ Service Commission (TSC), into the system. A comprehensive investigation into the irregular recruitment process has been ordered.
Governor Sule shared these concerns during a meeting with a coalition from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) at the Government House. This came in response to a request from the Nasarawa State CAN Chairman, the Very Reverend Dr. Sunday Emma, who urged the governor to retain the illegally hired teachers.
The governor expressed his inability to comply, highlighting the lack of qualifications among those recruited. “If you are asking me to absorb them, consider the implications. Many have reportedly paid significant sums for these positions yet lack basic qualifications, like writing an acceptance letter. Supporting their employment undermines our commitment to reform the educational system,” he asserted.
Upon taking office in 2019, Governor Sule commissioned a baseline survey of the state’s schools, which highlighted severe deficiencies in the education sector. In response, he approved the recruitment of 1,000 qualified teachers to address these needs. However, the TSC exceeded this mandate, hiring over 1,000 additional teachers without authorization.
Governor Sule lamented that many of the illegitimately hired teachers refused to work in rural areas, opting instead to remain in urban centers, thereby neglecting the educational needs of remote communities.
To address the issue, Governor Sule announced plans to conduct a new interview process for all teaching candidates, including the initially approved 1,000, to ensure that only the most competent individuals are selected. He emphasized the importance of honesty and merit-based hiring to revive the state’s educational system, stating, “We cannot succeed unless we prioritize qualified educators. My vision is to elevate the education standard in Nasarawa State.”
