Teachers recruited illegally in Nasarawa can’t write common letters – Gov Sule

By Miracle Ogunde

Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule has vowed a comprehensive investigation into the unauthorized hiring process of teachers in the state.

The governor emphasized that his administration would not incorporate those employed through improper channels by the suspended Teachers’ Service Commission (TSC).

According to Sule, approximately 80 percent of the secondary school teachers recently recruited illegally in the state lack the ability to even write an acceptance letter.

Daily Post reports that Governor Sule made these remarks during a visit by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) coalition at the Government House, where he responded to a request from the Nasarawa State CAN Chairman, Very Reverend Dr. Sunday Emma, to absorb those unlawfully employed by the TSC. He explained that absorbing such individuals would be impossible due to their lack of essential teaching qualifications.

“You ask me to absorb them, but look at it from both angles. I am not trying to create problems for anyone. I’ve heard that some of these individuals, who allegedly paid between 600,000 and 700,000 naira for their positions, are unqualified to teach. And, mind you, they would be paid less than 100,000 naira,” the Governor said. “I’m also told that 80 percent of them are unable to even write acceptance letters. If we take them in, we’re not helping our education system—this would derail our plans to reform it.”

Governor Sule recalled that upon taking office in 2019, he commissioned a group of education experts to assess the state of schools. Their findings revealed significant deficiencies, prompting the government to address issues such as inadequate infrastructure and outdated curricula. Based on their recommendations, the Governor approved the recruitment of 1,000 teachers to address the shortage of qualified educators.

However, he noted that while he authorized the employment of only 1,000 teachers, the TSC exceeded this number, hiring additional staff beyond the agreed limit.

The Governor also criticized the reluctance of many of the TSC recruits to be posted to rural areas, preferring instead to stay in urban centers.

This, he argued, had left rural communities under-served by educators.