Recruitment: 28 Days After CDCFIB 4-Week Deadline, NSCDC, NIS, FFS Applicants Yet To Know Fate

Twenty-eight days after the expiration of the four-week deadline promised by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) for the conclusion of its recruitment exercise, applicants seeking employment into the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and Federal Fire Service (FFS) are still waiting to know their fate, with some accusing the authorities of unnecessary delays, financial hardship and exposing them to security risks.

The applicants have expressed disappointment over the delay, urging the board to conclude the recruitment process before the forthcoming election and provide clarity on the next stage of the exercise.

One of the affected applicants, Moshood Jumoke Olasola, who applied for a position with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), said applicants had been given assurances since August that the recruitment process would be concluded within four weeks.

Olasola, however, accused the CDCFIB of failing to honour the promise, lamenting that the prolonged process had exposed applicants to security risks and serious financial difficulties due to borrowings for what she described as endless documentation trips.

“They promised since August that the process would be concluded in four weeks, but they lied,” she said.

According to him, applicants have repeatedly travelled to different zones for documentation, screening and other recruitment-related exercises, often at considerable personal risk and expense.

“We are looking for jobs, yet most of us have become debtors because we borrow money to enable us to travel for all the documentation we have done so far,, yet we do not even know our fate,” Olasola said.

She expressed concern that candidates who are already struggling financially have been forced to incur additional expenses while waiting for the recruitment exercise to be concluded.

Applicants Say Delay Exposes Candidates To Fraudsters

Another applicant, who identified himself only as Ginini Gift, said the prolonged delay had also created opportunities for fraudsters to prey on desperate job seekers.

Gift said some applicants had continued to fall victim to fraudulent individuals because they were anxious to know the outcome of the recruitment process.

“Many of our colleagues keep falling for fraudsters because of this unnecessary delay. Just becausrthey are desperate. Let them allow us to know our fate. We have over-waited,” he said.

His comments highlight concerns among applicants that the lack of timely and clear communication could leave candidates vulnerable to people promising to influence the recruitment process or provide privileged information.

The applicants are therefore calling on the CDCFIB to issue an official update and clarify when the exercise will be concluded, urging candidates to remain cautious of individuals demanding money in exchange for recruitment assistance.

Another applicant, Chibuzor Nwamanze, expressed suspicion that the delay could be connected to political considerations ahead of the forthcoming election.

Nwamanze alleged that the recruitment process might be delayed to create an opportunity for the administration of President Bola Tinubu to secure votes.

“They are likely delaying to use the process to secure votes for Mr President. This isn’t fair,” he said.

He described the situation as disappointing, noting that similar concerns had been raised over delays in the ongoing police recruitment exercise.

According to him, young Nigerians who have waited for employment opportunities for an extended period are increasingly becoming frustrated by the uncertainty surrounding recruitment into government agencies.

He also expressed concern over reports of young people collapsing and dying amid difficult circumstances, although no evidence was provided to establish a direct connection between the recruitment delays and such incidents.

The applicants appealed to the CDCFIB and the relevant agencies to provide a definite timeline for concluding the recruitment exercise, insisting that candidates deserve to know whether they have been successful or unsuccessful.

They argue that the prolonged uncertainty has affected their finances, heightened anxiety and left some candidates vulnerable to fraudulent schemes.

LEADERSHIP reports that the recruitment exercise covers applicants seeking positions in the NSCDC, NIS and FFS, agencies responsible for civil defence, immigration administration and fire and emergency-response services.

The applicants are now calling on the CDCFIB to address their concerns and provide an official update on the recruitment exercise.