Nasarawa Assembly constitutes committee to investigate Teachers recruitment scandal

By Musa Baba Adamu with agency report

The Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Danladi Jatau, has inaugurated an eight-man ad hoc committee to investigate the ongoing controversy surrounding the recruitment of over 3,000 teachers by the Nasarawa State Teachers Service Commission (TSC).

The committee, chaired by Daniel Ogah Ogazi (APC, Kokona East), who also chairs the House Committee on Rules and Business, is tasked with uncovering the facts behind allegations of job racketeering, over-recruitment, and irregularities in the process.

Speaking during the inauguration held at the Assembly complex in Lafia on Wednesday, the Speaker acknowledged the approval of the teacher recruitment by Governor Abdullahi Sule and stated the need for transparency.

“About a year ago, His Excellency, Gov. Abdullahi Sule approved the recruitment of teachers in the state.

“While this move was commendable, the TSC’s implementation has been marred by allegations of over-recruitment and selling of job slots to desperate applicants,” Jatau said.

He noted that the House is constitutionally empowered to investigate any matter that could affect the development of the state, adding that the goal is to bring a lasting solution to the lingering crisis.

“We will not leave any stone unturned. This investigation must be thorough and fair. At the end of the day, we aim to deliver a report that satisfies the people of Nasarawa State,” the Speaker assured.

Ogazi, responding on behalf of the committee, thanked the Speaker for his trust and promised that the committee would carry out its assignment diligently, even if it means working through the recess period.

“We are committed to justice. Everyone involved, TSC management, consultants, and affected applicants, will be invited and engaged. We will be fair, thorough, and guided by the Constitution,” Ogazi pledged.

He added that the committee’s probe would be “holistic” and aimed at restoring credibility to the recruitment process.

It would be recalled that on May this year, the House passed a resolution urging the state government to exclude 1,000 Teachers who are already on the state payroll from the ongoing screening exercise.

According to lawmakers, these teachers were legitimately employed in line with civil service procedures and have been receiving salaries for the past nine months.