The Federal Government has clarified that the recruitment waiver process for federal tertiary institutions remains in force, dismissing impressions that the procedure had been abolished.

The Federal Ministry of Education made the clarification in a statement signed by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, following remarks delivered by the representative of President Bola Tinubu at the maiden convocation ceremony of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare, on October 17, 2026.

The ministry explained that the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) is responsible for approving establishment waivers for federal institutions, while recruitment waiver requests are considered and approved by a committee chaired by the Minister of Education.

According to the statement, the OHCSF also determines authorised staff establishments and assesses manpower requirements for the institutions.

It added that the office is represented on the waiver committee, which evaluates the staffing needs of tertiary institutions against their approved establishments to determine whether additional recruitment is justified.

The ministry emphasised that the existing recruitment waiver protocol, which has been in operation over the past few years to promote institutional efficiency and autonomy, remains unchanged.

It urged all concerned institutions to continue complying strictly with the established approval process.

The statement reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to transparency, due process and accountability in managing human resources across federal tertiary institutions.

It added that the measures were in furtherance of the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) and President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.