Fact-Check: Nigeria’s Civil Service Commission Has Not Released Any Shortlist for Job Applicants

BY: Mustapha Lawal

Claim:
Multiple Facebook posts claim that the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) has published a list of shortlisted candidates for employment in various government positions.

Verdict:
False! The FCSC has confirmed that no such list currently exists and warned the public to disregard the fake posts circulating online.

Full Text

In April 2025, several posts began circulating across social media platforms, particularly Facebook and WhatsApp, claiming that the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) had released a list of shortlisted candidates for recruitment into federal ministries.

One viral post read: “Finally, FCSC Portal now opened, start checking your names.” 

Attached was a link to a suspicious website supposedly containing the names of successful candidates. The list appeared to be published in batches, though it lacked any reference to specific positions, application procedures, or official confirmation.

The FCSC is the federal body responsible for managing recruitment, promotions, and disciplinary measures for staff in Nigeria’s core civil service. It works closely with but is distinct from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF).

This claim has appeared here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and in multiple Facebook groups frequented by job seekers. Given the virality and potential harm of such claims, FactCheckAfrica decided to verify their authenticity.

Verification

When FactCheckAfrica visited the website linked in the post, we were not directed to any official government page. Instead, we landed on a blog-style site filled with pop-up advertisements, clickbait links, and a glowing tab labelled “Earn Cash.” 

Further down the page, the site contradicts itself with a message stating that the list has not yet been released and asks users to “be patient.” This type of content is called “engagement bait”, which is designed to trick users into interacting with false or misleading posts. Increased user engagement helps these pages spread quickly, while also harvesting personal or financial data from unsuspecting users.

The fraudulent website also redirects users to www.ohcsf.gov.ng, the official site of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF). While the OHCSF handles civil service policy, training, and reforms, it does not manage recruitment shortlists, which fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the FCSC via its website: http://fedcivilservice.gov.ng. A review of both the FCSC and OHCSF websites showed that no recruitment list has been published or announced.

The media team of the Federal Civil Service Commission refuted the claim and directed the public to a post on the FCSC’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, stating: “Whenever the Commission officially concludes the shortlist exercise, candidates shortlisted will be informed, and it will also be publicly announced through various media platforms and on the Commission’s website (http://fedcivilservice.gov.ng).” There has been no such announcement at the time of writing this report.

Conclusion

The claim that the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) has published a list of short-listed job candidates is false. The online link is fraudulent, and the Commission has disowned the publication.

Nigerians are urged to verify any recruitment announcement via the official FCSC website or trusted government sources. Do not click suspicious links or share sensitive information on unofficial platforms.