NMDPRA Issues Public Notice Warning Against Fraudulent Recruitment Schemes
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority has published an urgent public notice alerting citizens about widespread recruitment scams being perpetrated by fraudsters using the agency's name. The regulatory body emphasized that it is not currently conducting any employment exercise and warned Nigerians against falling victim to these sophisticated fraudulent operations.
Fraudsters Targeting Vulnerable Job Seekers
According to the official notice signed by Director of Public Affairs George Ene-Ita, unscrupulous individuals have been systematically targeting young and economically vulnerable Nigerians with fabricated job offers and forged employment letters. These criminals falsely represent themselves as NMDPRA recruitment officials, demanding substantial payments from unsuspecting citizens for non-existent positions within the petroleum regulatory authority.
The authority stated categorically: "We wish to use this opportunity to state categorically that the NMDPRA is NOT conducting any recruitment exercise currently. Neither is the Agency undertaking any kind of employment into its services at any level." The notice further clarified that any legitimate future recruitment would follow established public service employment procedures and regulations.
Official Communication Channels for Verification
NMDPRA strongly advised the public to disregard all unauthorized recruitment claims, describing them as deliberate attempts to defraud citizens while damaging the credibility of the regulatory authority. The agency directed Nigerians to rely exclusively on its verified communication platforms for accurate information regarding corporate activities and potential employment opportunities.
"We further advise that for current and up-to-date information regarding all our corporate activities, kindly refer to our official website: www.nmdpra.gov.ng as well as all our verified online social media outlets for authentic information," the notice emphasized. The authority specifically mentioned its authenticated presence on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram as reliable sources for official announcements.
Growing Trend of Government Recruitment Scams
This warning comes amid an increasing pattern of fraudulent recruitment schemes targeting various government agencies and parastatals across Nigeria. Just last month, the Nigeria Customs Service issued a similar disclaimer regarding a viral photoshopped recruitment notice, urging applicants to verify information through official channels only.
Earlier, the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board had warned against fake recruitment notices circulating online, confirming that no physical screening dates had been announced for the 2025 recruitment exercise as of December 31, 2025. The board reiterated that legitimate recruitment updates would only be shared through its verified communication platforms.
Police Service Commission Also Issues Alert
In a related development, the Police Service Commission recently alerted the public about false recruitment information spreading across social media platforms and unofficial websites. The misleading publications claimed the commission had opened a portal for Nigeria Police Force recruitment, which the PSC categorically denied, stating that no recruitment exercise was currently ongoing.
These coordinated warnings from multiple government agencies highlight the sophisticated nature of employment-related fraud in Nigeria, with scammers exploiting the high demand for government jobs among the country's youth population. Authorities continue to emphasize the importance of verifying information through official channels before engaging with any recruitment process or making financial commitments.
