The Ondo State Government has commenced the verification and interview exercise for applicants affected by irregularities in the last Primary School Teachers’ Recruitment Exercise, fulfilling Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa’s commitment to ensure justice for qualified candidates.
The exercise, coordinated by the Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board (ODSUBEB), follows the Governor’s approval for all genuinely qualified applicants adversely affected by the recruitment irregularities to be considered for absorption into the state’s public primary school teaching service.
It will be recalled that the 2024 primary school teachers’ recruitment exercise was dogged by widespread allegations of corruption, irregularities, manipulation of the recruitment process and the alleged replacement of names of qualified applicants.
The development generated public outcry and prompted the state government to review the exercise with a view to ensuring that deserving candidates were not unjustly denied employment.
Governor Aiyedatiwa had made the pledge during the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration, reiterating his administration’s commitment to fairness, transparency and the welfare of the people of Ondo State.
To implement the directive, ODSUBEB constituted a Verification Committee to scrutinise the credentials and recruitment records of all affected applicants. The committee is tasked with identifying candidates who genuinely participated in the recruitment process, met all stipulated requirements and are eligible for appointment.
The committee, chaired by Comrade Bola Taiwo, has concluded arrangements for the verification and interview exercise, which will be conducted across the three senatorial districts of the state.
According to ODSUBEB, affected applicants are required to report to their designated centres with the originals and photocopies of their academic certificates, birth certificate or declaration of age, printed recruitment application form, appointment letter and posting letter to their assigned schools.
The Board stressed that participation in the exercise is mandatory, adding that only applicants whose credentials and recruitment records are successfully verified and authenticated would be recommended for further processing.
It assured candidates that the exercise would be be conducted in a transparent, fair, credible and merit-based manner while maintaining due process throughout the exercise.
The Board also urged all affected applicants to comply fully with the verification requirements, warning that failure to appear or present the required documents could affect their eligibility for consideration.
ODSUBEB expressed appreciation to Governor Aiyedatiwa for fulfilling his promise and reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening basic education in Ondo State through the recruitment of competent, qualified and dedicated teachers.
