The Federal Government has warned Nigerians that seven common mistakes could ruin their chances of landing government jobs, urging applicants to stay away from fraudsters and strictly follow official recruitment procedures.
The warning was issued on Tuesday by the Federal Character Commission (FCC) in a public advisory published on its website.
According to the commission, thousands of job seekers unknowingly sabotage their applications by ignoring recruitment rules, submitting wrong information or trusting fake job adverts.
The FCC listed the seven costly mistakes as:
- Applying through fake or unverified websites
- Paying anyone to secure a government job
- Ignoring recruitment requirements
- Missing application deadlines
- Submitting incorrect information
- Failing to prepare for tests and interviews
- Believing every online job advert is genuine
The commission warned Nigerians to avoid unofficial websites, social media posts and forwarded messages advertising government jobs, saying fraudsters frequently create fake recruitment portals to scam desperate applicants.
It advised job seekers to confirm every vacancy through recognised government platforms before submitting applications or personal details.
The FCC also cautioned applicants never to pay anyone claiming they can guarantee government employment.
“Applicants should be cautious of anyone requesting payment or claiming they can guarantee employment, and they are encouraged to report suspicious recruitment activities through appropriate channels,” the commission said.
It stressed that federal recruitment follows official procedures, insisting that anyone collecting money or promising jobs is operating illegally.
The commission urged applicants to carefully check eligibility requirements, including qualifications, age limits, work experience, professional certifications and required documents before applying.
It also warned against waiting until the last minute to submit applications, saying delays could lead to missed deadlines or incomplete submissions.
The FCC further advised applicants to double-check their personal details and qualifications before submitting forms, warning that mistakes could lead to disqualification.
It added that candidates should prepare for aptitude tests, interviews and other stages of the recruitment process instead of assuming the application alone is enough.
The commission also reminded Nigerians that not every vacancy advertised online is genuine, warning applicants to avoid offers that guarantee employment, demand payment or pressure people into applying urgently.
Clarifying its role, the FCC said it does not recruit workers into ministries, departments or agencies.
It explained that recruitment is handled by the relevant institutions, while the commission monitors compliance with the Federal Character Principle.
The commission added that verified vacancies from federal institutions are published on its recruitment platform, allowing applicants to access authentic job information before applying through the relevant agency.
It urged Nigerians to verify every recruitment advert, read application requirements carefully, avoid paying anyone for jobs, provide accurate information and apply only through official channels to improve their chances of securing genuine government employment.
