The federal ministry of finance has dissociated itself from a message requesting newly recruited staff to pay a non-refundable administrative fee of N50,000 as a condition for resuming duty.
In a statement on Wednesday, the ministry attributed the message to fraudsters seeking to exploit unsuspecting applicants through false claims made in the name of the ministry.
The fake message, titled ‘Administrative Update and Compliance Notice for Newly Recruited Staff,’ claims that the Human Resource Management Department directed newly recruited staff to pay the administrative charge before assuming duty.
The ministry was categorical that no such directive was issued and that the message did not originate from any office or official of the federal ministry of finance.
It explained that recruitment into the ministry of finance is conducted strictly in accordance with the established procedures of the federal civil service.
The statement reads, “At no stage of the recruitment, documentation or onboarding process are applicants or newly recruited staff required to pay any administrative, processing or resumption fee.
“Accordingly, prospective employees and members of the public are advised to disregard the fraudulent message and refrain from making any payment or disclosing personal or financial information to individuals behind the scam.”
The Finance ministry also urged anyone who receives the message or has information that could help identify those responsible to report the matter to the appropriate law enforcement agencies or notify the ministry through its official communication channels.
It reaffirmed commitment to transparency, fairness and integrity in its recruitment process, adding that it will continue to work with relevant authorities to protect members of the public from fraudulent activities carried out in its name.
The ministry also encouraged Nigerians to verify information relating to employment opportunities with the ministry through official government channels before taking any action.
