Mass Demotion Looms for FAAN Staff Over Recruitment Irregularities
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is set to undertake a major staff right placement exercise that could see over 300 employees facing demotion due to alleged job racketeering during previous recruitment exercises.
According to sources within the agency who spoke with The Guardian, the management has initiated a comprehensive investigation into recruitment activities conducted between 2015 and 2017, as well as the controversial 2019 exercise known as the AFAKA Boys under the immediate past Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika.
Investigation Uncovers Recruitment Violations
The FAAN source revealed that the former minister recruited numerous staff into the authority, particularly in 2019, in what appears to be flagrant violation of established Federal Government recruitment guidelines. The current management is now working to correct these irregularities in the coming weeks.
Most of the affected staff belong to the Fire Service and Aviation Security (AVSEC) departments, where the bulk of the questionable hiring occurred. The investigation has uncovered that the 2015-2016 and 2019 recruitment exercises were specifically designed for Levels 4 and 6 positions, but many applicants with higher qualifications deliberately presented lower certificates to secure employment.
The AFAKA Boys Controversy
The so-called AFAKA Boys from the 2019 recruitment numbered approximately 300 and were brought into the agency in two separate batches. Similarly, the 2015-2017 recruits also totaled about 300 staff members, hired across three to four batches.
What compounded the situation was that some of these new recruits later presented their actual higher qualifications to management and received upgrades to appropriate levels, while others who allegedly know no one in the system were left at their original entry levels. This disparity created significant discontent among staff, leading to protests that ultimately prompted the current verification exercise.
In an official statement released yesterday, FAAN's Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, assured staff of the authority's commitment to professionalism, transparency, and strict adherence to statutory standards in all human resource and administrative processes.
Agbebire emphasized that FAAN's recruitment, placement, and career progression procedures are guided by established regulations designed to promote equity, competence, and organizational efficiency.
The statement confirmed that Managing Director Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku has authorized a further internal review of certain employment-related concerns that have come to management's attention, signaling the authority's determination to address these issues comprehensively.
