Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a strong warning to Nigerians to disregard a fraudulent recruitment message currently circulating online, falsely claiming to offer employment into the country’s diplomatic service.
In a statement released on Saturday, the Ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, described the message as fake, misleading, and a deliberate attempt by fraudsters to exploit unsuspecting members of the public.
According to the Ministry, the false notice claims that applicants have been shortlisted for diplomatic appointments under the Consular Section of Nigerian embassies abroad and instructs recipients to pay money for the processing of a so-called “credence note.”
The Ministry categorically denied any involvement in such recruitment, stressing that Nigerian missions abroad are not conducting any hiring exercise.
It further clarified that recruitment into the Nigerian Foreign Service is strictly handled through official government channels, particularly by the Federal Civil Service Commission, and not via emails, WhatsApp messages, or unsolicited contacts.
The statement emphasized that no fees are required at any stage of recruitment or diplomatic postings, warning that any demand for payment is a clear indication of fraud.
The Ministry also noted that the fraudulent message falsely referenced clearance from the Department of State Services and attributed statements to its spokesperson in a bid to appear credible.
Nigerians were urged to ignore such communications entirely and report any suspicious messages or payment requests to relevant security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services.
Reaffirming its commitment to transparency and public protection, the Ministry advised citizens to verify information through its official communication channels before taking any action.
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