NAFDAC warns Nigerians against recruitment scam
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has issued a public warning urging Nigerians to be suspicious of a fraudulent recruitment notice circulating widely on social media, describing it as a scam designed to mislead unsuspecting job seekers and extract money or personal information from hopeful applicants. NAFDAC warns Nigerians against recruitment scam.
In a statement posted on its official social media channels, NAFDAC made clear that it has not released any recruitment advertisement, press release, or notice announcing a current recruitment exercise. The agency emphasised that any authentic recruitment information would only be published through its official website and verified communication channels, including accredited social platforms and public notices. 
The alert is part of a growing pattern of fake recruitment schemes targeting job seekers in Nigeria, where high unemployment rates and competitive hiring have made many people vulnerable to fraudulent job offers that promise quick placement or require upfront payments. 
What NAFDAC’s Warning Says
According to the official statement, NAFDAC categorically rejected the alleged recruitment announcement circulating online, describing it as entirely unauthorised and not issued by the agency. 
“While NAFDAC periodically conducts recruitment exercises to engage qualified Nigerians, no such announcement has been made at this time,” the agency said in the statement. 
NAFDAC further cautioned the public against engaging with or relying on recruitment information that is not verified, citing cases in which scammers have used the agency’s brand name to lure applicants into paying fees, providing personal details, or being misled about job opportunities that do not exist. 
The agency reiterated that all official information from NAFDAC is communicated exclusively through its official website and verified platforms, and urged Nigerians to verify job announcements before acting on them. 
Why This Matters: Fake Recruitment Scams in Nigeria
Fake recruitment scams are nothing new in Nigeria’s media landscape, but they have become more visible in recent years as fraudsters take advantage of high unemployment, widespread social media use, and the prestige attached to government jobs. In many cases, fraudsters create cloned notices, websites, or social media posts that mimic official recruitment announcements, attempting to extract money, bank details, or other personal information from jobseekers. 
Other federal and regulatory bodies have issued similar warnings in recent months, highlighting a trend where scammers use government agency names to give credibility to fraudulent schemes. These include notices from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and various paramilitary recruitment boards, all cautioning Nigerians to rely only on verified sources for job announcements. 
How Scammers Operate
Schemes linked to fake recruitment notices typically include several common tactics:
• Use of official agency logos and names to appear credible.
• Fake websites or social media posts that look like genuine NAFDAC announcements.
• Requests for upfront payment for application processing, “guaranteed” interview placement, or screening fees.
• Soliciting personal or banking information alleged to be needed for job processing.
In some cases, poorly designed cloned recruitment pages can even contain contact emails, phone numbers, or portal links, which gives an illusion of authenticity and confuses unsuspecting users. 
The Human Cost of Scams
For job seekers — particularly young graduates struggling to find employment — falling victim to a scam can mean not only financial loss but also stolen identity information that can lead to further exploitation. Some applicants unwittingly share copies of identity documents, photographs, fingerprints, or bank account details, believing they are applying for legitimate roles.
Legal and financial experts often advise that no legitimate government agency or reputable employer will ask candidates to pay upfront for recruitment processing outside official recruitment portals, and that candidates should be wary of any offer that looks “too good to be true.”
https://ogelenews.ng/nafdac-warns-nigerians-against-recruitment-scam
NAFDAC’s Official Channels of Communication
In its warning, NAFDAC emphasised that authentic recruitment announcements will always be posted through proper channels, which include:
• the official NAFDAC website
• verified social media pages (e.g., official Twitter/X or Facebook accounts)
• reputable media outlets and press releases
• recognised federal service recruitment platforms
By contrast, fraudulent notices often appear on unofficial pages, unknown websites, or random social media handles that use similar but not identical branding. 
NAFDAC warns Nigerians against recruitment scam.
Job seekers are advised not to act on information circulated solely via WhatsApp forwards, unsourced posts, or unverified alerts.
Government Warnings and Public Vigilance
NAFDAC’s warning coincides with a broader set of alerts from other government agencies and regulatory bodies. Many have cautioned Nigerians in recent months about various fake recruitment postings, underscoring the importance of confirming announcements through official portals and direct verification. 
The wider context suggests that as online platforms become central to information dissemination, fraudsters increasingly exploit brand names and authority, which is why agencies must stay ahead of misinformation. Public education campaigns and digital literacy efforts are seen as essential in strengthening Nigerians’ ability to distinguish legitimate notices from scams.
What Candidates Should Do
If you have seen a recruitment announcement that claims to be from NAFDAC but are unsure about its authenticity, here are steps you should take:
1. Visit the official NAFDAC website at nafdac.gov.ng for job vacancies and notices.
2. Follow verified social media accounts of NAFDAC for official announcements.
3. Ignore messages requesting upfront payments for job processing.
4. Do not share personal or financial information with unverified sources.
5. Report suspicious recruitment links to cybercrime authorities or the agency’s communication office.
These steps help protect job seekers from falling victim to scams that prey on desperation or confusion.
Why the Trend Persists
The persistence of fake recruitment scams in Nigeria is tied to several structural challenges:
• High unemployment rates creating demand for any opportunity.
• Rapid growth of online platforms with minimal content control.
• Lack of widespread public awareness about agency communication protocols.
• Scammers’ ability to mimic official branding with minimal technical skill.
Until more robust digital authentication systems and public awareness campaigns are in place, fraudsters will continue to target job seekers with imposter schemes.
The Bottom Line
NAFDAC’s warning is a timely reminder that job scams are proliferating on social media and must be taken seriously. By underscoring that it has not issued any current recruitment notice and urging Nigerians to verify announcements through official channels, the agency highlighted the risk of falling prey to fraudulent recruitment schemes. 
For those searching for opportunities, the message is clear: double-check before you act, and don’t let the pressure of unemployment lead you into a trap. Understanding how these scams operate and relying on official sources are key to staying safe.
https://www.thecable.ng/nigerians-warned-against-job-scams-as-fake-vacancies-flood-web
NAFDAC warns Nigerians against recruitment scam
