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The Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) has raised the alarm over the circulation of fake recruitment links on social media and other online platforms, warning Nigerians against falling victim to fraudsters posing as recruitment agents.
The Commission, in a statement issued on Friday by its Head of Press and Public Relations, Ibraheem Zakariyya, said members of the public risked exposing their personal information and losing money by responding to unauthorised recruitment advertisements.
It urged prospective applicants to treat any recruitment message that cannot be traced to the Commission’s official communication channels as suspicious.
The warning comes amid the growing circulation of recruitment messages and links on social media platforms, WhatsApp groups, blogs and unofficial websites purporting to offer opportunities in the Federal Civil Service.
The FCSC said genuine recruitment into the Federal Civil Service is a regulated process and is not conducted through private agents, middlemen or individuals claiming to have the power to secure employment, influence shortlisting or issue appointment letters.
The Commission specifically warned the public against clicking on unsolicited recruitment links, submitting personal information or making payments in response to such messages.
According to the FCSC, appointments to positions graded GL.07–17 are made as vacancies arise and after due advertisement in accordance with Rule 020102(i) of the Public Service Rules, 2021.
It said such vacancies must be advertised in three national newspapers and on the Commission’s official website, with a specified deadline for applications.
The Commission further explained that applicants must meet prescribed eligibility requirements, including relevant qualifications contained in the approved Schemes of Service, as stipulated under Rule 020206 of the Public Service Rules.
It also stressed that no officer could be appointed into the Federal Public Service without an authorised establishment and, where applicable, the requisite recruitment waiver from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
The FCSC therefore advised job seekers to verify every recruitment announcement through its official website and authorised communication channels before applying.
It cautioned that the use of the Commission’s name, logo or branding on a recruitment message does not automatically make such an announcement genuine.
“Applicants should not allow the urgency or attractiveness of a recruitment message to override the need for verification,” the Commission said.
It directed prospective applicants to use only recruitment portals specifically identified in official FCSC announcements, warning them against alternative links circulated by individuals, social media accounts or purported recruitment agents.
The Commission also urged applicants to carefully examine official vacancy announcements for details of available positions, qualifications, eligibility requirements, application procedures and closing dates before submitting applications.
It warned Nigerians to be particularly suspicious of individuals demanding money for recruitment forms, shortlisting, appointment letters, preferential treatment or assistance in securing federal government jobs.
“No individual should be engaged as an intermediary for the purpose of securing employment with the Commission,” it said.
The FCSC further advised applicants to submit only accurate information and genuine credentials, warning that false declarations, forged certificates and fraudulent documentation could result in disqualification and other sanctions.
Applicants who successfully complete an official online application were also advised to retain their application or reference numbers, confirmation messages, email correspondence and other records generated during the process.
The Commission said members of the public who are uncertain about the authenticity of a recruitment announcement should contact it directly through its official website, authorised communication channels or designated Help Desk.
It said such direct verification was particularly important given the potential for unauthorised recruitment messages to create confusion among desperate job seekers.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a transparent, merit-based and rules-driven recruitment process aimed at strengthening professionalism, competence and integrity within the Federal Civil Service.
It urged prospective applicants to “verify before they trust, read before they apply, and ask before they act.”
The FCSC stressed that it neither endorsed nor accepted responsibility for recruitment links, messages or platforms circulating outside its official communication channels.
