Recruitment: EFCC Bars Married Applicants, NECA Kicks

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which is currently recruiting, has said only unmarried persons can apply to work in the agency .


The decision has , however , been criticised by the Nigeria Employers ’ Consultative Association, an affiliate of the Nigeria Labour Congress .
In a document, which went viral , titled, ‘Recruitment of Detective Assistants, Detective Inspectors and Detective Superintendents, which is dated January 15, 2020,’ the EFCC stated that all applicants “ must be single .”

For detective assistants , the EFCC stated that an applicant must not be more than 21 years old, must have Senior Secondary School Certificate and must be single ; for those applying to be detective inspectors, the commission stated that an applicant must not be more than 25, must have an NCE or a National Diploma and must be single .

For detective superintendent applicants , an applicant must not be more than 27, must have a first degree , must have completed the National Youth Service Corps programme and must be single .

Incidentally, the EFCC’ s sister agency , the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission is also recruiting .
However, the ICPC did not bar married persons from applying .

The ICPC simply states on its website that applicants must be Nigerian citizens not below 18 years or above 50; must have first degree with minimum of Second Class Lower, while HND / ND holders should have minimum of lower credit.

Speaking with The PUNCH on Thursday , the Director -General of NECA , Timothy Olawale , said the EFCC ’s action was in contravention of the International Labour Organisation’s conventions.

Olawale said, “ The issue of inclusion is one of the problems we have in this country . We always find a way to exclude people. One of the principles of fair recruitment is fairness . What the EFCC has done is in contravention of ILO conventions.

“During recruitment , you don’ t segregate any class . Even if you will apply some factors discretionally in the course of recruitment, you don’t make it public . What offence have married people committed ?