Governor Umar Mohammed Bago of Niger State’s directive to absorb all casual staff across the state’s general hospitals who have served for 10 years and above and hold degree qualifications into the state’s civil service has allegedly been marred by corruption and favouritism.
Newsmen gathered that officials from the state’s Ministry of Finance have allegedly included the names of their cronies on the appointment list while sidelining many qualified casual staff members.
Meanwhile the coalition of 188 specialist hospitals, along with Jummai Babangida Aliyu Maternal and Neonatal Hospital and General Hospital Minna accused some government officials of manipulating the list.
They claim that several non-casual staff members were added, while long-serving workers were excluded.
At IBB Specialist Hospital Minna, which has 48 casual or ad-hoc staff members, only three were considered for appointment.
Jummai Babangida Maternal and Neonatal Hospital Minna, with 92 casual staff members, saw just five confirmed for the appointment, newsmen can report.
A source told this newspaper that even an extension health worker, who was not supposed to be included, was added.
“Actually, it’s true that the government of Niger State directed the relevant institutions to give permanent and probationary appointments and place all the casual staff on an N80,000 minimum wage.
“But to our greatest surprise, a few randomly selected casuals were chosen, along with some people we don’t know, and they are being given permanent appointments while administrative staff were excluded,” a source told newsmen.
Another source lamented, “It’s indeed alarming when you have served your quota to humanity, dedicated all of your time and strength, then later you are served with this.
“We are aggrieved. Only 29 people were given appointment letters while most of us are left stranded because some government officials are blocking the goodwill of the government from reaching the poor masses.”
The coalition, in a letter to Governor Bago titled “Letter of Reminder Regarding the Government Decision to Offer Casual Staff in Government Hospitals Automatic Appointment, Probationary Appointment, and Payment of N80,000 Minimum Wage,” and obtained by newsmen, detailed their plight.
The letter recalled how they had approached the governor on January 20, 2025 after being excluded from the ongoing Civil Service Commission (CSC) recruitment exercise despite years of dedicated service.
Following their complaint, the governor publicly directed that casual hospital staff with a degree qualification and at least 10 years of service be given automatic appointments.
Those with National Diplomas or Certificates of Education were to be placed on probationary appointments, while those with a Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) were to receive a monthly minimum wage of N80,000.
Despite this directive, the coalition claims that the Ministry of Finance compiled a list of only 41 names, who were secretly invited to submit documents, excluding most long-serving casual workers.
“This development has become quite worrisome to us, and we feel that this should be brought to your attention,” the letter to the governor stated.
The controversy follows the governor’s earlier proclamation, as reported on January 9, 2025 by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim.
At the time, Bago assured that all casual staff in general hospitals would receive a monthly pay of N80,000, and degree holders who had served between 10 to 15 years would be given automatic appointments.
He also promised that those with diploma certificates would be appointed on probation, with an expectation to upgrade their qualifications within three years.
However, the coalition insists that these promises are being sabotaged.
“Your Excellency, instead of the relevant institution implementing your directive to the letter, we are reliably informed that the Ministry of Finance has drawn up a list of only 41 out of the total numbers, and they are being secretly invited to submit necessary documents to the exclusion of the majority of casual staff,” the letter stated.
They have now called on Governor Bago to intervene and ensure that the directive is followed transparently, allowing all qualified casual staff to benefit as intended.
Speaking to newsmen on the allegation, the Chief Press Secretary to the state governor, Bologi Ibrahim, dismissed the claim as false.
He stated that the governor has a complete list of all casual staff, making it impossible for anyone to add or remove names.
He further explained that the governor directed that those with degree qualifications would be considered, while those with lower qualifications were encouraged to return to school within three years to upgrade their credentials for future consideration.
“That is not true. The governor has the list of every casual staff in the state, and nobody can include or exclude anyone’s name.”
