IN SHORT: Some Facebook posts claim these are the names of candidates shortlisted by Nigeria’s Federal Civil Service Commission for unspecified jobs. But the agency says the list is fake.
Some social media users have posted what they claim to be an official list of candidates shortlisted for jobs by Nigeria’s Federal Civil Service Commission, or FCSC.
The commission is responsible for overseeing the recruitment, promotion and discipline of civil servants in Nigeria’s core federal ministries.
The illegible list appears to have been published in batches, but no further details of the positions are given.
One post reads: “Finally FCSC Portal now opened, start checking your names.” It includes a link to a site where people can supposedly look up their names.
The same claim has been made here and here. (Note: See more instances at the end of this report.)
Africa Check has previously debunked several job scams. But is the list authentic? We checked.
Beware of malicious website
We clicked on the link in the post, hoping it would take us to the commission’s website. Instead, we were redirected to a webpage filled with advertisements.
The page says the information provided will “guide and direct you on how to check the 2025 FCSC list of shortlisted candidates and other related information”. At the bottom of the page is a warning that the list has not yet been published and that we should “be patient”.
We also noticed a glowing blue tab that said “Earn Cash”.
This is a tactic known as engagement bait. The more users interact with the Facebook posts – whether by liking, sharing, commenting or clicking on the attached link – the greater its reach.
Unfortunately, this not only drives traffic to the malicious site, but can also allow fraudsters to steal your personal and banking information.
The page then directed us to the web address www.ohcsf.gov.ng.
But this link belongs to the office of the head of the Civil Service Federation, or OHCSF. Although they work closely together, this is not the same as the FCSC.
The OHCSF is responsible for policy formulation, training, reforms and welfare of the civil service.
We also checked to see if the OHCSF had published a list of shortlisted candidates, but we couldn’t find one.
‘No list exists’
The FCSC’s media team told Africa Check there was no list of shortlisted candidates from its recruitment exercise.
“Whenever the Commission officially concludes the shortlist exercise, candidates shortlisted will be informed, and it will also be publicly announced through various media platforms and on the Commission’s website (http://fedcivilservice.gov.ng),” the civil service commission posted on its official X page.
The false claim also appears here, here, here, here, here, here and here.
For publishers: what to do if your post is rated false
A fact-checker has rated your Facebook or Instagram post as “false”, “altered”, “partly false” or “missing context”. This could have serious consequences. What do you do?
Click on our guide for the steps you should follow.
Publishers guideAfrica Check teams up with Facebook
Africa Check is a partner in Meta's third-party fact-checking programme to help stop the spread of false information on social media.
The content we rate as “false” will be downgraded on Facebook and Instagram. This means fewer people will see it.
You can also help identify false information on Facebook. This guide explains how.
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