EMPLOYMENT SCANDAL HITS NICO: Youth Council Demands Transparency Over Alleged Recruitment Irregularities

The National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) has come under public scrutiny following fresh allegations of irregularities in its recent recruitment exercise. The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), through its Vice President for the North Central region, has formally written to the Institute, demanding full disclosure of processes involved in the said employment.

In a letter dated July 21, 2025, and received by NICO on July 23, the NYCN raised serious concerns over what it described as “credible reports and petitions” indicating favoritism, procedural breaches, and a lack of transparency in the hiring process. The Council is seeking urgent clarification backed by documentation.

Specifically, the NYCN has requested that NICO provide:

A comprehensive list of all job advertisements and their dates of publication.

Detailed information about shortlisted and successful candidates, including their states of origin.

Relevant approvals obtained from oversight and regulatory bodies.

Character clearance documents of recruited staff.

Internal memos, reports, and resolutions related to the recruitment process.

The request, spearheaded by Amb. Mukhtar Akoshile, Vice President (North Central) and Chairman of the Council’s Committee on Federal Character Compliance Monitoring, is part of the NYCN’s ongoing commitment to promoting fairness, transparency, and accountability in public sector recruitment, especially as it relates to youth inclusion and equitable representation.

Speaking on behalf of the Council, Amb. Akoshile emphasized that any attempt to sideline due process in public employment undermines the trust of young Nigerians in governance and violates the constitutional principles of federal character.

He warned that failure by NICO to respond transparently to the Council’s demands could trigger further civic and legal action.

“The NYCN remains resolute in its duty to defend the rights of Nigerian youths and to ensure that all federal recruitment exercises are conducted fairly, equitably, and in line with the law,” the statement read.

The Council concluded with its rallying call: “Build the Youth, Build the Nation.”

Efforts to reach NICO for a response as of press time were unsuccessful.