For more than one year, thousands of civil servants in Taraba State lived in uncertainty, frustration, and hardship after being tagged as ghost workers and denied salaries despite years of service to the state.
Many reportedly struggled to feed their families, pay school fees, and meet basic daily needs as hopes of returning to the payroll gradually faded.

However, in what many have described as a major breakthrough and moment of relief, Governor Agbu Kefas has approved the immediate issuance of fresh appointment letters to no fewer than 3,187 affected workers.
The decision followed the State Executive Council meeting chaired by the governor on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

Briefing journalists on Wednesday in Jalingo, the Head of Service, Dr. Hamidu Ahmed Kara, disclosed that the affected civil servants would now be reintegrated into the state workforce after months of uncertainty and financial hardship.
According to him, the governor’s approval was aimed at addressing the prolonged suffering experienced by workers caught up in the controversial verification exercise that classified them as ghost workers.

The development has since sparked emotional reactions across the state, with many affected workers expressing gratitude to the governor for what they described as a life-restoring intervention, especially as the Sallah celebrations approach.
Families of the affected workers were seen celebrating the announcement, while labour stakeholders and residents described the move as one of the most humane decisions taken by the current administration.

In another significant development, Governor Kefas also approved plans for fresh recruitment into the state civil service.
The Head of Service confirmed that the governor directed him to work with the Taraba State Civil Service Commission to recruit an additional 1,800 workers into the system.

According to the government, the recruitment exercise is intended to correct federal character imbalances allegedly overlooked during previous employment exercises in the state.
Observers say the dual decision to reinstate thousands of unpaid workers while also opening fresh employment opportunities could have far-reaching social and economic impacts across Taraba State.

The latest move is already being viewed as one of the most emotional and consequential developments within the Taraba public service sector in recent years, with expectations that it will restore confidence among civil servants and strengthen public trust in the state government.