The Ondo State Public Complaints, Financial Crimes, and Anti-Corruption Commission (SPFACC) has initiated a thorough investigation into allegations of a job buying scandal involving the Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), the agency announced on Sunday, 8 June 2025.
The probe follows complaints from job seekers and parents of long-unemployed education graduates, who have accused government officials of commodifying public service positions. Reports suggest that candidates allegedly paid sums ranging from ₦200,000 to ₦1,200,000 to secure teaching roles during a recent recruitment exercise. In March 2025, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa approved the hiring of 1,100 primary school teachers across the state’s 18 local government areas to address critical vacancies in public primary schools, following the completion of a recruitment process by SUBEB and TESCOM.
SPFACC Secretary, Professor Adewole Adeyeye, confirmed the investigation in a statement issued in Akure, the state capital. “The allegations are serious. They reflect not just corruption, but a systemic failure,” he said. “We want victims to help us break this cycle by stepping forward. Their identities will be strictly protected.” The commission has urged those who paid for jobs or faced extortion to come forward with documents, account statements, or any evidence to support the probe, assuring confidentiality. Victims are encouraged to contact SPFACC directly at 08035025879.
The scandal has raised concerns about the integrity of the education system, with observers warning that such practices undermine merit-based recruitment. “When unqualified people pay to become teachers, students suffer. And when qualified people are shut out, the profession loses credibility. This is not just corruption, it’s sabotage,” said Tayo Oloba, Media and Strategy Director of the Coalition for Transparency (CT).
The investigation aims to hold the guilty accountable and drive systemic reforms, including transparent hiring practices, fair treatment of teachers, and timely payment of retirees’ gratuities. Established in March 2023 by the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, SPFACC seeks to tackle corruption at the state level, a mission now gaining momentum under Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration.
As the probe widens, the people of Ondo State await answers, hoping for a cleaner, fairer system that prioritises merit and restores trust in public education.