𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗗𝗔𝗬: 𝗔𝗶𝘆𝗲𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘄𝗮 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗯𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝗳 𝗦𝘂𝗯𝗲𝗯 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗙𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗟𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀' 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗲.

𝗕𝗬 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗧𝗔 𝗩𝗢𝗜𝗖𝗘,

𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐭𝐚, 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has assured candidates affected by irregularities in the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) recruitment exercise that they will be formally absorbed into the civil service, following the discovery that some were issued fake appointment letters.

The governor gave the assurance on Friday during the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Arcade in Akure, where he addressed concerns raised by the affected applicants on the sidelines of the event.

Aiyedatiwa acknowledged the anomaly in the recruitment process and pledged that all qualified candidates who were wrongly issued fraudulent employment letters would be regularised and properly documented in line with due process.

He stressed that the state government would not abandon the victims of the irregularities, noting that necessary steps had been initiated to ensure their formal inclusion in the system.

“We are aware of the challenges faced by applicants who received fake appointment letters. We will correct this injustice by ensuring that those legitimately qualified are absorbed and properly integrated into the service,” he said.

Following the governor’s directive, the Permanent Secretary of SUBEB, Dr Abike Bayo-Ilawole, instructed affected candidates to report to the board’s office for verification and completion of documentation, assuring that the process would be handled transparently.

The development comes amid broader assurances by the governor on improved workers’ welfare and ongoing reforms in the public service.

Speaking at the May Day event, Aiyedatiwa reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to prioritising workers’ welfare, noting that labour remains central to governance and development.

He highlighted measures taken by his administration, including prompt payment of salaries, implementation of promotions without arrears, and recruitment of about 4,000 workers across key sectors such as education, health, and agriculture.

The governor also pointed to efforts in strengthening security through increased recruitment into the Amotekun Corps and investments in infrastructure, healthcare, and youth empowerment programmes aimed at reducing poverty and boosting productivity.

On the theme of the 2026 Workers’ Day, “Insecurity, Poverty: Bane of Decent Work,” Aiyedatiwa said his administration was addressing socio-economic challenges through targeted interventions and collaborative governance.

Labour leaders in the state, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), commended the governor’s efforts but urged sustained action on economic and security concerns.

The Head of Service, Bayo Philip, also praised the administration’s reforms, citing improvements in workers’ welfare, career progression, and support for retirees.

Workers’ Day, globally recognised as a platform to celebrate the contributions of workers, also served as an avenue for the Ondo State Government to reiterate its commitment to justice, transparency, and inclusive governance—particularly in resolving the SUBEB recruitment controversy.