FG Upholds Recruitment Waivers for Federal Universities and Clarifies Approval Process

Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Education clarified that federal tertiary institutions must still obtain waivers before recruiting additional staff. The statement followed remarks delivered on behalf of President Bola Tinubu at the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare, convocation on October 17, 2026. The ministry said the OHCSF approves staff establishments and authorised workforce levels, while a committee chaired by the education minister considers requests to recruit beyond those approved establishments. No new policy has been introduced, and institutions must continue to follow the existing approval process.