The Bayelsa State Government has lifted a five-year employment ban and approved the recruitment of 1,000 indigenes into the state civil service. This initiative is designed to strengthen the state’s workforce and help address unemployment.
The Bayelsa State Civil Service Commission officially announced the recruitment in a letter dated March 4, 2025, signed by its Permanent Secretary, Stanley Sokari. By the application deadline of March 21, the commission had received over 10,000 applications for various positions, ranging from clerical roles to officer-level positions, with both young professionals and experienced candidates applying.
Perekiye Buruboyefe, Chairman of the Civil Service Commission, assured applicants that the recruitment process would be transparent and merit-based. He explained that candidates would undergo screening tests and interviews to ensure only the most qualified individuals were selected.
Buruboyefe, a former Commissioner for Sports, praised Governor Douye Diri’s initiative as a purposeful effort to empower Bayelsans by offering civil service opportunities. He noted that the overwhelming response to the recruitment reflected the community’s eagerness to contribute to the state’s development.
The last major recruitment into the state civil service took place in 2019 under former Governor Seriake Dickson, who employed 1,200 graduates following a comprehensive civil service reform. The reform addressed issues such as age falsification, ghost workers, and individuals fraudulently collecting multiple salaries.
The head of the civil service emphasized that the current recruitment exercise is expected to have significant social and economic benefits. It is not only aimed at reducing unemployment but also at providing young people with opportunities for productive engagement, which could steer them away from criminal activities. Additionally, the recruitment is seen as a way to foster a sense of belonging among the people, strengthening the relationship between the government and its citizens.
Meanwhile, Didi Walson-Jack, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, commended Governor Diri for prioritizing infrastructure development, noting that the new secretariat represents a significant investment in improving public service efficiency.
Governor Diri has also reaffirmed his commitment to expanding economic opportunities in Bayelsa. He highlighted projects such as the Nembe-Brass Road and the Ekeremor-Agge deep seaport initiative as key to unlocking the state’s economic potential, enhancing commerce, creating more jobs, and positioning Bayelsa as an attractive destination for investment.
