August 18, 2025 – Bayelsa State government officials have confirmed that the recent teachers’ recruitment exercise was cancelled due to irregularities.
Governor Douye Diri ordered the cancellation after findings showed that the process did not follow civil service rules and ignored an executive directive to employ 995 teachers based on a verified needs assessment.
Mr Irorodamie Komonibo, Chairman of the Teachers’ Recruitment Review Committee and Deputy Chief of Staff, explained on Radio Bayelsa’s Talk to Bayelsa programme that the process was flawed.
“The recruitment did not adhere to established guidelines,” he stated while appearing with other committee members.
Dr Stella Peremoboere-Ugolo, Acting Chairman of the Teacher Training and Certification Board, said the reforms proposed by the committee would introduce merit-based selection to strengthen teaching standards in public schools. She noted that the goal was to ensure transparency and fairness.
Hon Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, Commissioner for Information, appealed to applicants who were unsuccessful to remain calm. She emphasized that the review was carried out openly and added that teachers who had already been deployed before the suspension would be paid five months of salary arrears.
The decision followed reports that the Post Primary Schools Board (PPSB) failed to comply with directives, which raised concerns about fairness in the education sector.
Several callers to the radio programme praised the committee’s effort but also urged the government to discipline officials who disregarded executive instructions. The issue has highlighted the importance of accountability, public sector transparency, and education policy in Bayelsa State.