The Federal Government has issued a warning about a fraudulent online job scam falsely claiming to offer employment in Nigeria’s diplomatic missions abroad. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified that it does not hire workers directly and urged Nigerians to avoid falling victim to these false offers.
According to a report from Punch, the Ministry explained that recruitment into its ranks is handled exclusively by the Federal Civil Service Commission. The warning follows a surge in fake employment letters and messages allegedly signed by top ministry officials, including the Foreign Affairs Minister.
Spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa addressed the growing concern, noting that fraudsters are impersonating ministry staff and sending out deceptive emails. He cautioned the public to disregard these messages and report any suspicious activity.
“They are sending out emails with my name as the signatory. This is not just about fake news. It is about protecting Nigerians from losing their hard-earned money and protecting the name of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” Ebienfa said.
One of the fraudulent messages even claims that candidates have been selected to work at the Nigerian Embassy in Juba, South Sudan, with instructions to pay N165,800 for a diplomatic passport. The Ministry confirmed such claims are completely false and illegal.
Ebienfa emphasized that joining the Foreign Service involves a formal process: recruitment through the Civil Service Commission, training at the Foreign Service Academy, followed by official deployment. The first year is served on attachment, with future postings lasting three years.
He also clarified that diplomatic and official passports are issued free of charge to those eligible. The public is advised never to pay money in exchange for employment or government-issued documents.
Article updated 2 weeks ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
