The Federal Ministry of Education stated that the approval system for extra staff hiring at federal universities remains active. This clarification counters earlier media reports suggesting that President Bola Tinubu had ended the requirement. According to Punch, the ministry issued a statement on Monday, signed by its press director, to address interpretations of remarks delivered at a recent university ceremony. Nairametrics reported that the clarification was necessary following coverage indicating that federal universities had been exempted from seeking approval from the federal civil service office.
The confusion reportedly stemmed from the first graduation ceremony at the Federal University of Health Sciences in Azare, Bauchi State, held on October 17. Punch noted that President Tinubu was represented at the event by Sonny Echono, the head of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund. Nairametrics reported that Echono, speaking on behalf of the President, indicated that the exemption was recorded in recent deals with university staff unions. He stated that the measure empowered the ministry and university governing councils to manage staff recruitment more effectively.
In its response, the ministry outlined the specific roles of the relevant government offices. The statement explained that the civil service office approves establishment waivers, while a committee led by the education minister handles hiring waiver requests. Punch reported that the civil service office retains responsibility for determining authorized staff numbers and assessing manpower needs across federal institutions. The ministry added that the civil service office is also represented on the waiver committee, which evaluates staffing needs against approved numbers to determine if extra hiring is justified.
The ministry emphasized that the existing protocol, which has been in operation for several years to promote institutional efficiency and autonomy, continues to apply. Nairametrics noted that the framework supports the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative and the Renewed Hope Agenda. The statement urged institutions to comply strictly with established approval processes, aiming to ensure transparency, due process, and accountability in human resource management. This clarification follows earlier directives, including a 2025 requirement for institutions with waivers to advertise vacancies in national newspapers and academic journals.