Nasarawa Assembly assures justice for all on teachers’ employment
….As Committee begins sitting
The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has set up an eight-man adhoc committee, chaired by Hon. Daniel Ogah Ogazi, to investigate allegations surrounding the recruitment of over 3,000 teachers by the Nasarawa State Teachers Service Commission (TSC). The investigation aims to address claims of over-recruitment, job racketeering, and irregularities in the recruitment process, including allegations that appointment slots were sold for between N500,000 and N700,000.
The Speaker, Danladi Jatau, emphasized the need for a thorough and fair investigation to ensure transparency and justice for all involved. The committee will engage various stakeholders, including the TSC management and affected applicants, to uncover the facts and deliver a report that satisfies the people of Nasarawa State.
This follows earlier findings by a previous investigative committee that uncovered 2,277 teachers were illegally employed beyond the approved 1,000 teachers, leading to the suspension of TSC officials.
Governor Abdullahi Sule has expressed concern over the irregularities, stressing the importance of merit-based recruitment and the sustainability of the education system.
Hon. Daniel Oga Ogazi, the Chairman of the Adhoc Committee stated this when former management of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) led by its Secretary, Hon. Usman Labaran Shafa appeared before the committee during its first sitting today in Lafia the State capital.
Ogazi said that the committee was constituted to unravel the circumstances surrounding the recruitment of teachers in the State.
“We are not here to witch hunt anybody but to ensure that the truth prevails.
“We want you to tell us what you know or what transpire during the recruitment of the teachers as approved by the Governor.
“What we are doing is our constitutional duties as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria” he said.
Hon. Ogazi said that 1000 teachers were employed by the TSC inline with the civil service law.
“The first 1000 teachers was approved by the Governor and TSC issued employment letters to the said 1000 inline with civil service law and were posted by the Ministry of Education. They were engaged and are performing their duties.
” After the employment of the 1000 teachers, the Governor gave additional approval for 500 and that was where issues were generated as it was alleged that in the process of the additional 500, appointment Letters were issued to unqualified teachers and some were sold” he said.
Hon. Ogazi said that Gov. Sule constituted a committee and their recommendations and indictments led to the sack of the former TSC management.
“After that, the Governor still engaged the services of a consultant, the House was worried leading to constitution of this committee because there was bridge of civil service law by the new process affecting the 1000 by the consultant” he said.
The committee chairman assured that justice would be done on the matter for quality education in the State.
“So we are looking holistically at the entire process to ensure that justice is done for the people of the State” He said.
Ogazi disclosed that the committee would invite all those involved in the recruitment of the teachers stressing that those who appeared admitted that the 1000 were dully employed but the process for the recruitment of the additional 500 was not dully conducted leading to additional numbers of about 1,965 instead of 500 following influx of names from government officials and stakeholders adding that the Ministry of Education will further explain what happens thereafter.
Earlier, Hon. Usman Labaran Shafa, the former Secretary, TSC said that 1000 teachers were genuinely employed by the commission.
“We have employed and issued appointment letters to the 1000 teachers after they have undergone due process which includes CBT and were interviewed” he said.
Hon. Shafa, former member representing Toto/Gadabuke constituency said that the issue of additional teachers came in when some government officials and stakeholders sent in their candidate names shooting to about 1,965 against the 500 approval.
He told the committee that there were fake appointment letters in circulation in the State and fake signatures of his person, evidence that he said was earlier presented to the previous investigative committee just as he also presented some documents to the committee for further clarifications from the TSC and the Ministry of Education.
It would be reported that on June 11, 2025, Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Dr. Danladi Jatau, has inaugurated 8 man Adhoc Committee to unravel issues surrounding recruitment of over 3000 newly teachers in the State.
The Committee is to be chaired by Hon. Daniel Ogah Ogazi, APC Kokona East and Chairman House Committee on Rules and Business.
