Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration in Ogun State has come under heavy criticism for imposing a N10,000 fee on applicants seeking employment in the state’s civil service.
The development has sparked outrage among the state’s indigenes, particularly the youth.
According to a memo signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Civil Service Commission, Jacob R.O., on behalf of the commission, each candidate must pay the non-refundable fee to complete their application.
“Applicants are to obtain tellers from Room A261 at the Civil Service Commission for application form on payment of a non-refundable fee of ten thousand Naira (N10,000) per candidate. The application forms and other credentials should be submitted to the office of the Director, Appointment and Transfer (Civil Service Commission) Block A, Room A233, state secretariat complex Oke-Mosan, in Abeokuta,” the memo stated.
The policy has been met with harsh reactions, particularly from the state’s youth.
Adekunle Sowole, a resident, voiced concerns about the financial burden on qualified unemployed youths who may not afford the application fee.
“The levy would affect qualified unemployed youths who may not have money to obtain the application form and would be automatically disqualified,” Sowole explained.
This is not the first instance of the Abiodun administration demanding payments from prospective civil service applicants. In 2019, applicants for positions such as messengers, mortuary attendants, cooks, and health attendants at the state-owned Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital in Sagamu were required to pay N5,000 for an application form.
Additionally, those applying as registrars were mandated to pay an extra N2,500 for the residency handbook, totaling N7,500.
Kayode Akinmade, a spokesperson for the Ogun governor, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the issue.
The fee imposition has reignited debates on the accessibility of government jobs and the financial hurdles faced by job seekers in the state.