Over 450,000 Nigerians Apply for Federal Government Jobs Amid Intense Scramble for Civil Service Positions

A staggering 450,000 Nigerians have applied for federal civil service jobs in 2025, highlighting the country’s deepening unemployment crisis and the public’s hunger for secure government roles.

The recruitment, featuring over 70 advertised positions, triggered portal glitches due to high traffic as thousands scrambled for roles in healthcare, education, engineering, administration, and foreign affairs.

The Federal Government’s 2025 recruitment drive into the Civil Service has attracted a flood of interest from job seekers across the country, with no fewer than 450,000 Nigerians submitting applications for various positions. This massive response underscores the pressing need for employment opportunities in a nation where youth unemployment remains a major concern.

The recruitment, which officially kicked off in January 2025, was announced by the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) in a widely circulated newspaper advertorial. The publication, endorsed by the Director of Recruitment and Appointment, Ogaba Ede, outlined over 70 distinct job roles open within federal agencies and ministries.

Among the positions advertised were roles such as Administrative Officer, Planning Officer, Program Analyst, Procurement Officer, and Senior Computer Engineer. Medical professionals were also in demand, with job listings for Dentist/Dental Officer, Medical Laboratory Scientist, Radiographer, Nursing Officer, and Dietician.

In the education and youth development sectors, the government sought applicants for positions like Education Officer, Assistant Education Officer, and Senior Youth Development Officer. Other technical and specialized roles included Fisheries Officer, Animal Health and Technologist, State Counsel, Psychologist, Biomedical Engineer, and Aerodrome Engineer.

Additionally, the government opened up opportunities for Surveyors, Computer Engineers, Geologists, Foreign Affairs Officers, Auditors, Program Analysts, Tourism Officers, Cultural Officers, and Printing Officers, among others.

According to a statement released by Taiwo Hassan, Head of Press and Public Relations at the FCSC, the application was open exclusively to eligible Nigerians. All applicants were required to submit their credentials and personal details through the official online recruitment portal of the commission.

Initially, the deadline for applications was slated for March 10, 2025. However, due to the high volume of interest and reported technical hitches experienced by some applicants, the commission extended the deadline by a week, pushing the new cut-off date to March 17, 2025.

During the registration period, many applicants voiced frustrations about accessing the online portal. Reports indicated that technical glitches, sluggish response times, and server overloads made it difficult for some to complete their submissions on time. For a large number of these applicants many of whom are recent graduates or experienced professionals struggling with joblessness this recruitment exercise represents a rare opportunity to secure gainful federal employment.

The overwhelming number of applicants once again highlights the high demand for jobs in Nigeria’s public sector. Civil service positions are often seen as stable and desirable, offering job security, structured career progression, and benefits such as pensions and housing allowances features not always guaranteed in the private sector.

This recruitment exercise is one of the most significant in recent years and reflects the government’s stated aim to revitalize the civil service with fresh talent. It also aligns with broader efforts to improve governance and service delivery through a more competent and tech-savvy workforce.

However, with only a limited number of vacancies available compared to the sheer volume of applicants, the selection process is expected to be highly competitive. The FCSC has not yet disclosed how many positions will ultimately be filled, but sources suggest that only a small fraction of the applicants will be shortlisted.

As Nigerians await the next stage of the recruitment process, including possible aptitude tests and interviews, many hope that the process will be transparent, merit-based, and free from favoritism or corruption a recurring concern in past government job exercises.

For now, the flood of applications serves as a stark reminder of Nigeria’s urgent need for more inclusive and large-scale job creation strategies, particularly for its growing youthful population.