The Federal Government has clarified that the recruitment waiver course of for federal tertiary institutions stays in drive, following stories that President Bola Tinubu had introduced the elimination of waiver necessities for federal universities.
The Federal Ministry of Education made the clarification in an announcement on Monday, following interpretations of remarks delivered by a consultant of President Bola Tinubu on the maiden convocation ceremony of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare, on October 17.
The ministry mentioned federal tertiary institutions should proceed to adjust to the established procedures for recruitment waiver requests.
How recruitment waivers are authorized
The ministry defined the respective tasks of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) and the recruitment waiver committee.
- “For clarity, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) approves establishment waivers for Federal Institutions, while recruitment waiver requests are considered and approved by a Committee chaired by the Honourable Minister of Education (HME),” the assertion mentioned.
The ministry added that the OHCSF can also be represented on the waiver committee chaired by the Minister of Education, which evaluates the staffing wants of tertiary institutions in opposition to their authorized institutions to find out whether or not further recruitment is justified.
- “The Ministry therefore emphasises that the existing recruitment waiver protocol, which has been in operation over the past few years to promote greater institutional efficiency and autonomy, remains in force,” it mentioned.
The ministry urged federal tertiary institutions to proceed complying with the established approval procedures for recruitment requests.
Media stories spark questions over recruitment waivers
The clarification follows stories in Nigerian media that President Bola Tinubu had exempted federal universities from the requirement to acquire recruitment waivers from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF).
Tinubu was reported to have made the announcement on the maiden convocation of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare, Bauchi State.
Represented by Sonny Echono, Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), the President reportedly mentioned the exemption was documented in current agreements signed with college employees unions.
- “This measure empowers the federal ministry of education and university Governing Councils to discharge their respective responsibilities in staff recruitment, enabling institutions to respond more effectively to their legitimate manpower needs,” Tinubu was quoted as saying.
However, the Federal Ministry of Education has now clarified that the recruitment waiver course of stays in drive, outlining the roles of the related authorities workplaces and the committee accountable for contemplating recruitment requests.
FG reiterates dedication to due course of
Reaffirming its place, the ministry mentioned the prevailing framework is meant to advertise transparency, due course of and accountability in managing human sources throughout federal tertiary institutions.
- “The Federal Ministry of Education remains committed to transparency, due process and accountability in the management of human resources across Federal Tertiary Institutions,” the assertion mentioned.
It added that the framework helps the implementation of the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) and President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Earlier FG directives on tertiary establishment recruitment
The newest clarification follows earlier authorities bulletins and directives which have formed recruitment procedures in federal tertiary institutions.
In February 2024, the Federal Government introduced modifications to recruitment waiver necessities for universities following discussions with unions in tertiary institutions.
In April 2025, the Federal Government directed federal tertiary institutions granted recruitment waivers to promote vacancies in no less than one nationwide newspaper, on their web sites and in related tutorial {and professional} journals.
Beyond the general public commercial requirement, the 2025 directive additionally outlined recruitment oversight procedures for affected institutions, reinforcing the significance of compliance with established necessities.
