FactCheck: Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Ministry Is Not Recruiting Diplomats – Beware of Scam Job Adverts

BY: Mustapha Lawal

Claim:

A job advertisement circulating on Facebook and other platforms claims that Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched a recruitment drive to hire diplomats for the country’s embassies, high commissions, and consulates worldwide.

Verdict:

False! The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued an official disclaimer disassociating itself from the viral advert. Recruitment into such positions is conducted through the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), not via informal channels or Gmail addresses.

Full Text

A message titled: “Nigeria Launches Diplomat Recruitment For 76 Embassies, 22 High Commissions, 11 Consulates,”  has been making the rounds on social media since late April 2025, particularly on Facebook and WhatsApp.

The job advert claims to originate from the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and include a circular, which outlines supposed eligibility requirements, including an age range of 35 to 65 years, and instructions to send applications via email and Telegram.

According to the ad, interested applicants are instructed to send their CVs and application letters to: [email protected]. With copies to: [email protected] and [email protected]. The ad also suggests applicants confirm their submission by messaging a Telegram handle (@diplomaticchannelsng).

Since September 2023, Nigeria has had no appointed ambassadors, following President Bola Tinubu’s recall of all diplomatic envoys. The timing of this claim shortly after credible reports indicated that the vetting of new ambassadors had commenced likely contributed to its widespread acceptance among job seekers. In March 2025, reports emerged that the process of vetting new nominees had begun, but there have been no confirmed appointments or open recruitment calls. 

Verification

FactCheckAfrica reviewed the official website and social media handles of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which showed no such job advert was ever published. For a recruitment exercise of this magnitude, announcements would typically be made via: National dailies, Official ministry platforms and/or even the Federal Civil Service Commission website (https://fedcivilservice.gov.ng). But none of these carried such a notice.

We also noticed several inconsistencies and red flags suggest the job post is not from any legitimate authority:

• Gmail address: A major government agency would not use a free Gmail account for official recruitment.
• Telegram confirmation: Reputable ministries do not require applicants to confirm job applications via private chat apps.
• No application portal: Standard FCSC recruitment involves a transparent, publicly accessible application process, not personal emails or chat handles.

Furthermore, FactCheckAfrica came across a public statement refuting the authenticity of the advert released by the  Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 28 April 2025. 

The statement, published on the ministry’s official website and shared across verified government channels, read: “The Ministry unequivocally disassociates itself from this misleading and malicious advertisement and urges the general public to disregard such announcements and refrain from engaging with individuals or entities promoting these fraudulent schemes.” It added that all recruitments into federal ministries are conducted through the Federal Civil Service Commission, and no payment should be made for job applications or interviews.

Conclusion

The claim that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently recruiting for diplomatic posts is false. The ministry has disowned the advert, flagged the communication channels as fake, and urged the public to rely solely on official platforms for any recruitment-related updates. Nigerians are advised to be cautious and verify such announcements via trusted government websites and media.