Akwa Ibom State Approves Recruitment of 3,000 New Employees to Boost Civil Service Workforce

Strategic Insights -

As part of efforts to revitalize the state's civil service, the Akwa Ibom State government has authorized the recruitment of 3,000 new employees, with the mainstream civil service, healthcare, and teaching sectors allocated 1,000 slots each. This move comes after a verification exercise ordered by Governor Pastor Umo Eno last year, which led to the identification and removal of 2,208 ghost workers from the payroll. The recruitment is part of the state's efforts to inject new blood into its civil service, which has been plagued by a greying population of old employees overstaying their welcome. The verification exercise, which was attended by less than 53,000 workers of the 55,000 on the payroll, was a major catalyst for the recruitment drive.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Akwa Ibom State government has approved the recruitment of 3,000 new employees to boost the state's civil service workforce.
  • The mainstream civil service, healthcare, and teaching sectors have been allocated 1,000 slots each for the recruitment.
  • A verification exercise ordered by Governor Pastor Umo Eno last year led to the removal of 2,208 ghost workers from the payroll.
  • The verification exercise was attended by less than 53,000 workers of the 55,000 on the payroll.
  • The recruitment drive is aimed at revitalizing the state's civil service, which has been plagued by a greying population of old employees overstaying their welcome.
  • Governor Pastor Umo Eno has also approved the release of 2025 promotion to public servants in the state and N2.5 billion for the clearing of the backlog of 7.5% contributory pension scheme suspended in 2013.

Statistics:

  • 3,000: Number of new employees to be recruited through the mainstream civil service, healthcare, and teaching sectors.
  • 2,208: Number of ghost workers removed from the payroll after the verification exercise.
  • 53,000: Number of workers who attended the verification exercise out of 55,000 on the payroll.
  • 7.5%: Percentage of the contributory pension scheme backlog that has been suspended since 2013.
  • N2.5 billion: Amount approved for the clearing of the backlog of 7.5% contributory pension scheme suspended in 2013.

Sources:

  • LEADERSHIP newspaper.
  • Head of Civil Service (HoCS), Elder Effiong Essien