Reported by Weng Patrick Atokor | Journalist at Weng Global
The Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) has warned Nigerians seeking employment with the agency to beware of fraudulent recruitment groups and individuals demanding payments in exchange for job placements, insisting that its ongoing recruitment exercise is entirely free of charge.
The agency issued the warning on Monday following reports of fake social media groups and online platforms falsely claiming to represent NAQS while soliciting money from unsuspecting applicants. It stressed that no applicant is required to pay any fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
In a statement, the service urged prospective applicants to disregard unofficial recruitment messages and rely solely on information published through its verified communication channels.
According to the agency, fraudsters have created fake online communities impersonating NAQS with the aim of deceiving job seekers into making payments under the guise of processing fees, registration charges or guaranteed employment.
NAQS described the activities as criminal and warned that anyone requesting money on behalf of the agency is not acting with its authorization.
“The recruitment exercise is completely free. Applicants should not make payments to any individual, group or organization claiming to facilitate recruitment into the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service,” the agency stated.
The agency explained that all recruitment information, including application guidelines, eligibility requirements and updates, will only be released through its official platforms.
It advised applicants to verify every recruitment-related announcement before taking action and to avoid sharing personal or financial information with unknown persons or unofficial websites.
NAQS also called on members of the public to report suspicious recruitment activities, fake websites and social media accounts impersonating the agency to the appropriate security authorities.
The warning comes barely days after the Federal Government opened applications for recruitment into the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service across Superintendent, Inspectorate and Assistant cadres. The recruitment portal opened on July 28 and is scheduled to close on August 10, 2026.
Officials reiterated that recruitment into the agency is strictly merit-based and conducted in accordance with established federal procedures, adding that successful candidates will emerge through transparent screening processes without any financial inducement.
The service further cautioned applicants against falling victim to online scammers who often exploit the high demand for government jobs by creating fake recruitment portals and promising employment in exchange for money.
Recruitment scams have become increasingly common in Nigeria, with several government agencies recently issuing similar warnings after fraudsters impersonated their institutions to extort desperate job seekers. Experts have consistently advised applicants to verify employment opportunities through official government websites and communication channels before submitting applications or making any commitments.
NAQS reaffirmed its commitment to conducting a transparent and credible recruitment exercise, urging all applicants to remain vigilant and ignore any individual or group requesting payment in connection with the ongoing employment process.
The agency maintained that only qualified candidates who successfully complete the prescribed recruitment stages will be considered for appointment, emphasizing that no payment can influence the outcome of the exercise.
Sources:
- Punch Newspapers
- Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS)
