PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria – The Rivers State Government announced on Thursday, July 13, 2023, the dismissal of over 1,700 staff members employed at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education in Rumuolumeni, citing extensive irregularities in the hiring process.
This substantial purge took place under the watch of Sir Siminialaye Fubara, who assumed office two months ago.
The dismissal followed the recruitment of academic and non-academic staff during the last term of the former governor, Chief Nyesom Wike.
In a public announcement signed on July 13, 2023, by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Prince Chinedu Mmom, the state government declared the recruitment exercise void and ordered those recruited, many of whom had already worked for over six months, to return their employment letters and staff identity cards.
“The Government of Rivers State has observed with dismay the inconsistencies/ irregularities and flagrant disobedience to the directives concerning the just concluded recruitment exercise at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt,” Mmom stated. “Therefore, the recent employment exercise conducted by the management of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt is hereby cancelled.”
Mmom noted that the hiring process did not meet the standards set by the government, rendering the appointments null and void.
All individuals hired through this flawed process are effectively unemployed, he confirmed.
The state government is set to conduct a new, credible employment exercise to replace the invalidated one.
Mmom assured, “A proper and credible recruitment exercise shall be conducted in due course.”
This sweeping decision has sent ripples across the university and the broader education sector in Rivers State, casting a spotlight on the procedural standards for recruitment within government-run institutions.
As the affected staff grapple with their sudden unemployment, they and the rest of the nation will be keenly observing the government’s next steps in conducting a fair and transparent recruitment process.
