The Federal Government has cautioned Nigerians seeking employment in the public service to avoid seven common mistakes that could jeopardise their chances of securing government jobs.
The warning was issued by the Federal Character Commission (FCC) in a public awareness statement published on its website on Tuesday.
According to the commission, many applicants lose employment opportunities by failing to follow official recruitment guidelines, submitting inaccurate information, or relying on unverified sources for vacancy announcements.
The FCC identified the seven mistakes as applying through unverified sources, paying individuals to secure government jobs, ignoring application requirements, missing application deadlines, providing incorrect information, failing to prepare for recruitment assessments, and assuming every advertised vacancy is genuine.
The commission warned that fraudsters often create fake recruitment portals, social media posts, and advertisements to deceive unsuspecting job seekers. It advised applicants to verify all recruitment information through recognised government platforms before submitting applications or personal details.
It also cautioned Nigerians against paying anyone who claims to have the influence to secure government employment, stressing that recruitment into federal institutions follows established procedures and that anyone demanding payment is acting illegally.
The FCC urged applicants to carefully review eligibility requirements, including educational qualifications, age limits, work experience, professional certifications, and required documents before applying. It further advised candidates to submit their applications well before deadlines to avoid last-minute errors or technical difficulties.
The commission emphasised the importance of providing accurate personal and academic information, noting that mistakes could affect verification and eligibility during the recruitment process.
Applicants were also encouraged to prepare for aptitude tests, interviews, and other stages of the recruitment process instead of assuming that the application stage marks the end of the exercise.
Clarifying its role, the FCC stated that it does not recruit workers into ministries, departments, or agencies. Rather, it is responsible for ensuring fairness and compliance with the Federal Character Principle as enshrined in Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The commission added that it operates a recruitment platform on its website where verified vacancies from federal institutions may be published, enabling applicants to access authentic information before proceeding to the relevant recruiting agency.
It urged Nigerians to verify recruitment sources, comply with application requirements, avoid fraudulent recruiters, submit accurate information, and apply only through official channels to improve their chances of obtaining legitimate government employment.
