Ondo Suspends Three SUBEB Officials Over Teacher Recruitment Scam

The Ondo State Government has suspended three officials from its Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) for their alleged involvement in a teacher recruitment scam. The suspended officials include two directors and one deputy director.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has also ordered a full investigation into the job racketeering, which took place during the state’s recent recruitment drive for teachers.

The government stated that the officials had worked with external fraudsters to issue fake employment and posting letters to applicants in return for money. Many of these defrauded individuals were among a group that protested last week after being excluded from a biometric verification process for newly recruited teachers. They were informed that their appointment letters were not genuine.

The state recently began recruiting teachers for primary and secondary schools across all 18 local government areas. Following the public protest, the governor’s office confirmed that an investigation had been launched.

Through his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, the governor clarified that those who protested were not among the 2,000 teachers legitimately hired. All properly recruited teachers have already started work.

He said: “The attention of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has been drawn to reports of a protest by individuals claiming to have been denied employment during the recent recruitment of teachers by the Ondo State Government through the State Universal Basic Education Board.

“To clarify, those who protested were not employed teachers but applicants defrauded by scammers who issued fake employment and posting letters after collecting money from them. These defrauded applicants were identified during the biometric verification process and informed that their letters were fake.”

The government also confirmed that disciplinary action had already been taken against three SUBEB insiders accused of collaborating with external fraudsters.

Adeniyan added: “Already, disciplinary action has been taken against three SUBEB insiders who allegedly colluded with external individuals to defraud the applicants.

“Governor Aiyedatiwa has directed SUBEB management to invite the victims of the fraud for a meeting, while a committee has been constituted to further investigate the matter.”

The government’s response highlights its effort to address both the corruption within SUBEB and the plight of the victims who paid for jobs that never existed. The planned meeting with defrauded applicants is intended to address their grievances and assist in the ongoing investigation.

This incident has raised concerns over the integrity of public recruitment processes and the need for stricter oversight to prevent internal fraud. The suspension of senior officials signals a firm response from the governor’s office to discourage similar misconduct in the future.

The committee formed to investigate the scam is expected to uncover the full extent of the racketeering and identify all those involved, both within and outside the government.

For now, the Ondo State Government continues to urge the public to remain calm while authorities work to resolve the situation and ensure that only legitimate appointments are honoured.