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Governor Umo Eno confirms more than 15,000 applications for 3,000 vacancies
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Recruitment to be based strictly on merit with computer-based tests
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Concerns raised over past allegations of favouritism in state hiring
More than 15,000 job seekers have applied for the 3,000 vacancies recently advertised by the Akwa Ibom State Government, underscoring the intensity of the unemployment crisis in the state.
Governor Pastor Umo Eno disclosed the figures in Uyo during the monthly state prayer service, assuring that the recruitment would be fair and transparent.
He stated, “There are no slots, and there is no favouritism,” while explaining that applicants would take a computer-based test that would produce immediate results.
The announcement comes against the backdrop of past recruitment drives in Akwa Ibom which drew criticism over alleged favouritism and lack of transparency.
This history has raised anxieties among candidates seeking fair opportunity in the latest process.
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According to government plans, 1,000 workers each will be recruited into the teaching cadre, the health sector, and the core civil service. The scale of applications highlights the desperation for work in the state, where unemployment remains one of the most pressing concerns.
The National Bureau of Statistics reported a jobless rate of 34.9 percent for Akwa Ibom in 2023, while a separate study showed that more than half of the state’s youths are out of work. To counter this, the state has launched initiatives such as the ARISE Youth Employment Portal, the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Programme, and other empowerment schemes aimed at reducing the burden of joblessness.
