The head of the Nigerian Public Service has expressed concern over Government employees applying for study leave using admission letters obtained from suspicious foreign universities.
Folasade Yemi-Esan (pictured) disclosed this in a circular directing Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Agencies to pay extra attention to such requests in future.
“In an effort to check this ugly development, the additional criterion has been added to the extant requirements for seeking approval for study leave,” Ms Yemi-Esan said.
“Staff of Government Agencies seeking to embark on study leave would obtain a letter from the Ministry of Education to confirm the authenticity of the institution,” she said.
Ms Yemi-Esan said the Ministry of Education must satisfy itself that the institution from which the admission was obtained was recognised by the host country and the Federal Government of Nigeria, and that the programs were not sub-standard.
“Accordingly, any request without the confirmation letter from the Ministry will not be processed,” she said.
The Public Service Chief has gained a reputation for cracking down on corruption and sharp practices.
In March Ms Yemi-Esan instituted a committee with a mandate to stem fraud in the enrolment of Public Servants on the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).
The IPPIS has 446,002 Federal staff on its list.
Abuja, 30 August 2021
