The Federal Ministry of Education has clarified that the recruitment waiver process for federal tertiary institutions has not been abolished, despite impressions created by a recent speech delivered on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a statement signed by Boriowo Folasade, Director, Press and Public Relations issued on Monday, the Ministry addressed confusion arising from remarks made by the President’s representative at the maiden convocation ceremony of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare, on 17 October 2026.
“The Federal Ministry of Education wishes to clarify that the recruitment waiver process for Federal Tertiary Institutions has not been abolished, contrary to erroneous impressions that may have arisen from the speech delivered by the representative of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the maiden convocation ceremony of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare, on 17 October 2026,” the statement said.
The Ministry explained the distinct roles involved in the approval process. “For clarity, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) approves establishment waivers for Federal Institutions, while recruitment waiver requests are considered and approved by a Committee chaired by the Honourable Minister of Education (HME).”
It further noted that the OHCSF “retains responsibility for determining authorised staff establishments and assessing manpower requirements. It is also represented on the Waiver Committee chaired by the Honourable Minister of Education, which evaluates the staffing needs of tertiary institutions against their approved establishments to determine the justification for additional recruitment.”
The Ministry emphasised that the existing framework remains operational. “The Ministry therefore emphasises that the existing recruitment waiver protocol, which has been in operation over the past few years to promote greater institutional efficiency and autonomy, remains in force. All requests must continue to comply strictly with the established approval process.” The statement read.
