Recruiter Condemns Abuja Company's Exclusive Job Advertisement
A Nigerian recruiter has voiced strong criticism against an Abuja-based company after discovering a job advertisement that restricts applications to graduates from only eleven specific Nigerian universities. The advertisement, which has sparked widespread outrage on social media, lists institutions such as Covenant University, University of Lagos, and University of Ibadan as the sole eligible sources for candidates.
Emmanuel Bassey's Viral Reaction on Social Media
Emmanuel Bassey, a prominent recruiter, took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his dismay at the company's hiring policy. He argued that such practices amount to pure discrimination and segregation, unfairly sidelining graduates from other Nigerian universities. Bassey emphasized that a university's name does not guarantee competence, stating that strong companies test skills, while weak ones hide behind labels.
In his detailed post, Bassey questioned the rationale behind the segregation, highlighting that it creates an unjust barrier for many qualified job seekers. He pointed out that if a company cannot assess competence without relying on a school label, it reflects a hiring problem rather than a candidate deficiency.
Details of the Controversial Job Advertisement
The job advert, posted by Jobs with Aramide on January 24, specifies that only graduates with first-class or second-class honours in fields like Economics, Engineering, Mathematics, and Business Administration can apply. Furthermore, it limits eligibility to graduates from the following eleven universities:
- Covenant University
- Babcock University
- Landmark University
- Afe Babalola University
- Pan-Atlantic University
- University of Lagos
- University of Ibadan
- University of Benin
- Redeemer’s University
- Obafemi Awolowo University
- University of Nigeria, Nsukka
Additional requirements include applicants being under 24 years old and possessing excellent English communication skills, both verbal and written.
Public Outrage and Social Media Backlash
The advertisement has triggered a wave of criticism from netizens, who decry the exclusionary practice as discriminatory. Many users on X have shared their frustrations, noting that such policies overlook talented individuals from other institutions. One user commented, They are just being honest. Some companies will just thrash your CV if you didn't finish from a reputable school, while another lamented the age restriction as an additional form of discrimination.
Others highlighted the broader issue of skill-based hiring versus institutional bias, with one netizen stating, I have seen more polytechnic folks build world-class products... it's not about the school, it's always about the skills! The discussion has also touched on the lack of legal frameworks to address such cases, with calls for more robust labor laws to prevent discrimination in hiring practices.
Broader Implications for Graduate Employment in Nigeria
This incident sheds light on the ongoing challenges faced by Nigerian graduates in the job market, where institutional prestige often overshadows individual merit and capabilities. It raises important questions about fairness and equality in recruitment processes, particularly in a country with a diverse range of educational institutions.
The controversy also echoes previous reports on recruitment practices, such as recruiters sharing major CV red flags and interview tips, underscoring the need for more transparent and inclusive hiring strategies. As the debate continues, it highlights the urgent need for companies to prioritize skills and results over arbitrary criteria that may exclude qualified candidates.
