The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), has firmly denied claims circulating on social media suggesting that he approved the recruitment of 10,000 personnel into the state civil service. The clarification, which came on Thursday through a formal statement from the Rivers State Government, warns the public to disregard the widely circulated misinformation.
The rebuttal was issued by the acting Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. Inyingi Brown, who emphasized that the recruitment notice is false, misleading, and not authorized by any official organ of government. The statement particularly debunked a claim alleging that an application portal for the so-called recruitment exercise would open by midnight on Sunday, April 13, 2025.
The now-debunked message had been making the rounds on various social media platforms, bearing the logo of the Rivers State Government and falsely attributing the announcement to the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibibia Worika. The viral post promised employment opportunities and urged young Rivers residents to prepare their documents and apply as soon as the portal launched.
In her official response, Dr. Brown stated, “We wish to categorically inform the people of Rivers State and the general public to ignore the fake announcement. There is no approved recruitment of 10,000 civil servants, and no such directive has been issued by the Sole Administrator or the Civil Service Commission.”
She stressed that legitimate announcements regarding employment into the civil service would only be communicated through officially recognized channels such as government press releases, the State Civil Service Commission, and its verified website.
The Rivers State Government has raised concerns over increasing incidents of online scams targeting job seekers with fake employment offers. Officials believe the latest rumor may be the work of fraudsters seeking to exploit the desperation of unemployed residents by directing them to bogus portals that collect sensitive personal data or charge illegal processing fees.
Dr. Brown warned residents not to fall prey to such schemes. “We are aware that some unscrupulous elements are leveraging the state’s name and using official insignia to create a false sense of legitimacy. Let it be clear that the government has not opened any application portal, and we strongly advise the public to be vigilant,” she said.
While addressing the state’s commitment to youth empowerment and employment, Brown noted that the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Vice Admiral Ibas, remains committed to transparency, accountability, and due process in all civil service operations. She explained that any genuine recruitment drive would be part of a structured and legally compliant process involving budgetary provision, needs assessment, and approval from appropriate authorities.
“The public will be duly informed when such a process is initiated. At the appropriate time, the Civil Service Commission will communicate clearly and publicly with guidelines and eligibility criteria,” she said.
Since his appointment as Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) has initiated several administrative and institutional reforms aimed at restoring accountability and efficiency in the state’s public service. The Ibas-led administration recently appointed new members to the State Civil Service Commission and the Local Government Service Commission in a move seen by many as a restructuring effort.
Observers believe these reforms are part of a broader plan to stabilize governance following political turbulence in the state. However, the recruitment rumour suggests an undercurrent of public anxiety around job availability and transparency in governance.
Reactions to the viral recruitment claim have been mixed. While many residents expressed hope that such an opportunity would materialize, others criticized the spread of unverified information.
A Port Harcourt-based education consultant, Mrs. Edna Worlu, called on young people to prioritize official government sources for information. “The internet is full of fake news. Until the Rivers State Government releases a proper announcement, people should avoid acting on social media posts,” she advised.
Cybersecurity experts have also urged state governments across Nigeria to improve their online presence and rapidly counter fake news to avoid mass confusion and exploitation of citizens.
As unemployment continues to pose significant challenges across Nigeria, state governments must remain proactive in addressing misinformation that preys on vulnerable job seekers. The Rivers State Government’s swift denial of the 10,000 jobs recruitment hoax reflects a commitment to truth and proper governance.
The public is strongly advised to remain cautious, verify all job-related information through official channels, and report suspicious activities to law enforcement or cybercrime units.