EducationFact Check

False! Sokoto State University not recruiting as claimed in viral message

Claim: A call for massive recruitment at Sokoto State University 

Viral post making the rounds on WhatsApp seeking interested and qualified candidates for recruitment into Sokoto State University is FALSE. 

Full Text 

A call for massive recruitment at the Sokoto State University has recently been going round on social media especially the WhatsApp platform, with a directive to share widely for qualified Nigerians to take advantage of the job openings. 

The message stated that the university wishes to engage suitably qualified scholars and academics to fill numerous academic and non-academic positions, which includes: Senior Lecturer, Professor, Graduate Assistant, Lecturer 1, Lecturer II Reader, Counseling Psychologist, Higher Pharmacy Technician, Medical Officer, Graduate Nursing Officer, Principal Library Officer amongst others, with October 18, 2021 deadline.

Screenshot of the WhatsApp message about Sokoto State University 

Sokoto State is one of the 36 States of Nigeria, located in the extreme northwest of the country on the national border with the Republic of Niger. Arising from the insatiable quest of the people of the state for education and excellence, the idea of establishing the Sokoto State University was conceived by the then Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wamakko when he established the Sokoto State University Implementation Committee in 2008. 

The committee was charged with the responsibility of: Planning for the structure and facilities for the effective running of the university, seeking for and obtaining approval from the Federal Government for Sokoto state to run its own university aside, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, which is Federal Government owned and in which the indigenes of the state were marginally placed over the years arising from the Federal Character Principle; and establishing the Sokoto State University School of Developmental Studies with the sole aim of preparing students, a one-year pre-degree programme before enrolling into the University. The approval was granted in 2009. 

Verification 

Dubawa began its verification by visiting the website attached to the viral message.

Screenshot of the call for application on the website 

The site contains numerous calls for recruitments for academic and non- academic positions in different universities in Nigeria including that of the Sokoto State University. The website described itself as a job, vacancy, career opportunity blog, which shares daily updates on available vacancies, local and international scholarships, government and international organization loans and grants. 

Talking about the advertised job, the site states that the salaries and conditions of service are as applicable to the post appointed for in Nigerian Universities as approved by Sokoto State Government and the Governing Council of the university from time to time. 

It also urged interested and qualified candidates to submit their applications and up-to-date curriculum vitae to include contact mobile phone numbers and email addresses through the university’s email: info@ssu.edu.ng or by Courier to: The Registrar, Sokoto State University, P.M. 2134, Birnin Kebbi Road, Sokoto, Sokoto State.

screenshot of application instruction 

The website added a caveat that said it is not an agent of any organizations, and cannot assist any applicant to secure a job, loan, grant, or scholarship, as they only share the information for interested persons to apply. 

Further search on the website of Sokoto State University revealed there was no opening for job offers but it contains a disclaimer dated August 18, 2021 and signed by the institution’s Registrar, Amins Yusuf Garba, to a false advertisement being circulated online, soliciting applications for a purported recruitment exercise. 

The university in the disclaimer notified the general public that the university is not recruiting for any position, either directly or through any proxy, as it warned the general public to be cautious and vigilant to avoid falling victim to the plots of  unscrupulous elements who are circulating the false recruitment notices, to deceive unsuspecting applicants. 

“In view of the above, the university is hereby advising the general public to always seek accurate and credible information by visiting its website @ www.ssu.edu.ng, its verified social media handles on Facebook, Twitter,

Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube or by visiting the Institution,” the disclaimer added. 

Screenshot of the disclaimer

Conclusion 

Given the evidence available, a call for massive recruitment for academic and non-academic positions at Sokoto State University is untrue as claimed. 

The researcher produced this fact-check per the 2021 Kwame Karikari Fact-checking Fellowship partnership with Sobi 101.9 FM to facilitate the ethos of truth in journalism and enhance media literacy in the country.

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