Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, on Thursday inaugurated a four-member committee tasked with investigating irregularities in the recent teacher recruitment process conducted by the Nasarawa State Teachers Service Commission (NSTSC). The ceremony took place at the Government House.
Governor Sule urged the committee members to perform their duties with integrity, emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability. “I charge you to act without fear or favor, and to live up to the confidence placed in you,” he said.
The Governor expressed concern over reports that government officials had recruited teachers beyond the approved number, leading to the suspension of the NSTSC chairman and other members. “This situation is worrisome and could tarnish the state’s reputation if not addressed,” he warned. He explained that the committee’s formation was vital to clarifying the situation and ensuring that the recruitment process adhered to proper protocols.
Reflecting on his administration’s ongoing efforts to improve the education sector, Governor Sule highlighted various initiatives aimed at addressing staffing shortages in schools. Since 2019, his government has recruited over 8,000 teaching and non-teaching staff. Despite these efforts, he noted, significant gaps remain in teaching personnel, particularly in secondary schools. “To address this, we approved the recruitment of an additional 1,000 teachers,” he added.
However, the Governor noted that after the first salary payments to the newly hired teachers, concerns arose regarding the non-payment of several other appointed teachers. “It is disturbing that, despite receiving appointment letters and postings, many teachers have not been paid,” he stated.
The committee, which will be led by former permanent secretary Mr. Silas J. Dachor, includes Hajiya Fatu Jimeta, a former commissioner for education; Dr. Yusuf Alfa Danya, a former chairman of the Federal Polytechnic Baale board; and Belinda A. Oyegbenu, the Permanent Secretary for Establishment and Manpower Development, who will serve as secretary.
The committee has two weeks to submit its report, with its mandate to: determine the recruitment process and total number of approved recruits, identify any unauthorized appointments, confirm the schools to which teachers have been posted, verify the payment status of recruited teachers, and assess the financial implications of unpaid salaries. Governor Sule emphasized the urgency of the task, stating, “We are not rushing the committee, but we need to resolve the issue of unpaid salaries as quickly as possible.”
In his opening remarks, Barrister Muhammad Ubandoma Aliyu, Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State, commended the Governor’s leadership and the formation of the committee, which he described as part of broader efforts to ensure a corruption-free civil service.
During the event, Mr. Silas J. Dachor expressed gratitude for the appointment and assured the Governor that the committee would carry out its duties with diligence. He also called on the public to provide relevant information to aid the investigation.
Additionally, Governor Sule inaugurated Mohammed Bello Isa as the newly appointed Director General of the Nasarawa State Waste Management Development Agency.
