Over 15,000 Job Seekers Chase 3,000 Civil Service Slots in Akwa Ibom

|By Adejumo Adekunle

More than 15,000 applicants are competing for 3,000 civil service vacancies in Akwa Ibom State, Governor Umo Eno announced in Uyo during the state’s monthly prayer service.

The state government had unveiled the recruitment drive in June, with 1,000 slots each earmarked for the teaching service, the health sector, and the core civil service. The openings followed a verification exercise that exposed 3,000 ghost workers on the state’s payroll.

Governor Eno assured applicants that the recruitment would be transparent and strictly merit-based. He disclosed that the selection would be conducted through a computer-based test with instant results, dismissing speculation about backdoor influence.

“There are no slots, and there is no favouritism,” the governor stressed.

The governor’s declaration comes against the backdrop of previous recruitment exercises plagued by favoritism and allegations of manipulation, which had fueled anxiety among job seekers in the state.

Beyond recruitment, Eno highlighted his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment. He revealed that in the past two days, he inspected 23 ongoing projects across Akwa Ibom and was impressed by the active involvement of young engineers, artisans, and female project leaders.

“This is the spirit we must embrace: more hard work,” he said.