The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has established an eight-member ad hoc committee to investigate alleged irregularities in the recruitment of over 3,000 teachers by the state's Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
Speaker Danladi Jatau, who inaugurated the committee on Wednesday at the Assembly complex in Lafia, cited allegations of job racketeering, over-recruitment, and other procedural irregularities as reasons for the probe.
Allegations of Misconduct
"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 stated during the inauguration.
The Speaker emphasized that the House is constitutionally empowered to investigate matters affecting the state's development, assuring that the investigation would be thorough and fair.
"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," he added.
Committee Leadership and Mandate
The committee is chaired by Daniel Ogah Ogazi, who also heads the House Committee on Rules and Business. Abel Yakubu Bala will serve as co-chairman, with six other members including the Minority Leader, Luka Iliya Zhekaba.
Responding to his appointment, Ogazi promised a diligent investigation, stating: "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."
He added that the committee would conduct a "holistic" probe aimed at restoring credibility to the recruitment process, even if it means working through the Assembly's recess period.
Previous Assembly Action
The investigation follows a May 28 resolution by the House urging the state government to exclude 1,000 teachers who are already on the state payroll from the ongoing screening exercise. These teachers, according to lawmakers, were legitimately employed following civil service procedures and have been receiving salaries for the past nine months.
Deputy Speaker Mohammed Adamu Oyanki, who read the resolution, also called on the consultant handling the screening to immediately return appointment letters that had been retrieved from the affected teachers.
"This is sad and unfortunate. These 1,000 teachers have been duly employed and should not be subjected to unnecessary hardship," Oyanki had stated.
The committee's findings are expected to provide clarity on the recruitment process and recommend measures to address any identified irregularities.
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