Governor Dapo Abiodun’s government says applicants seeking employment in Ogun’s civil service must pay N10,000 to complete the application form, a development that has attracted condemnation by indigenes. 

In a memo signed by the permanent secretary secretary commission, Jacob R.O, on behalf of the civil service commission, the government said each candidate is to obtain tellers from the commission on payment of the non-refundable fee of N10,000.

“Applicants are to obtain tellers from Room A261 at the Civil Service Commission for application form on payment of a non-refundable fee of ten thousand Naira (N10,000) per candidate. The application forms and other credentials should be submitted to the office of the Director, Appointment and Transfer (Civil Service Commission) Block A, Room A233, state secretariat complex Oke-Mosan, in Abeokuta,” the memo stated. 

However, the demand has generated harsh reactions and condemnation, particularly from youths of the state. 

Adekunle Sowole, a resident in the state, explained that the levy would affect qualified unemployed youths who may not have money to obtain the application form and would be automatically disqualified.  

It is not the first time the Abiodun government has demanded payment from prospective applicants for civil service. 

Kayode Akinmade, a spokesperson for the Ogun governor, did not immediately respond to a request for a comment. 

In 2019, applicants such as messengers, mortuary attendants, cooks, and health attendants seeking employment at the state-owned Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, were asked to pay N5,000 for an application form.

Also, those applying as registrars were mandated to pay an additional N2,500 to obtain the residency handbook, totalling N7,500.