Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has denied saying that the state government would pay ₦50,000 monthly stipend to applicants who fail to secure jobs in the ongoing state Civil Service recruitment exercise.

The Akwa Ibom State Government, through Eno’s Chief Press Secretary, Ekerete Udoh, gave this clarification in a statement released on Wednesday following widespread reports on social media misquoting the governor’s remarks at a recent public event.

The reports originated from Governor Eno’s speech at the Grand Finale of the TownSquare Meeting and Empowerment programme for Etinan Federal Constituency, held on August 23 at Ikot Edibon in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area.

The state government, however, described the reports as “false and totally misleading,” noting that all applicants for the Civil Service recruitment would undergo a Computer-Based Test (CBT), with only successful candidates progressing to the interview stage.

“Every individual who applied for the advertised Civil Service vacancies through the official Employment Portal will be duly shortlisted to take a Computer-Based Test (CBT),” the government stated.

“Only applicants who successfully pass the CBT will be invited to the next phase of the recruitment process, which is the oral interview.

“At no stage did His Excellency, the Governor, or indeed the Government of Akwa Ibom State, announce or consider any payment of monthly stipends to unsuccessful applicants.”

The state government also stated that, as part of the government’s youth empowerment programme, every youth registered on the Arise Employment Portal is entitled to a one-time #50,000 grant, regardless of whether they applied for Civil Service vacancies or any other job opportunities advertised on the portal.

“This grant is distinct from the Civil Service recruitment exercise and must not be misconstrued as compensation for unsuccessful candidates.”

Eno also assured all applicants and the general public that the Civil Service recruitment process will remain fair, transparent, and strictly merit-based, adding that “there are no slots allocated to anyone.”

He then urged the public to disregard the misleading reports and rely only on official government communication channels for accurate information.