“The latest incident, which has sparked outrage in academic and public circles, reportedly occurred at the Civil Service Auditorium, Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat, Uyo. Three Akwa Ibom indigenes (names withheld by the reporter), all graduates of Ibibio Language from the University of Uyo, were allegedly denied the opportunity to participate in a civil service interview”
By Thomas Thomas
A troubling contradiction is beginning to surface in Akwa Ibom State (one that pits the reform-driven vision of Governor Umo Eno against the entrenched attitudes of certain actors within the civil service). At a time when the state government is opening doors to inclusivity and merit through transparent recruitment processes, some officials appear determined to slam those doors shut (particularly in the faces of graduates of Ibibio studies).
The latest incident, which has sparked outrage in academic and public circles, reportedly occurred at the Civil Service Auditorium, Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat, Uyo. Three Akwa Ibom indigenes (names withheld by the reporter), all graduates of Ibibio Language from the University of Uyo, were allegedly denied the opportunity to participate in a civil service interview (despite having successfully passed every preceding stage of the recruitment process).
From registration on the ARISE portal to excelling in the e-examinations, these candidates had done everything required of them. They were screened, shortlisted, and formally invited for the final interview. Yet, according to their accounts, what awaited them was not a fair assessment of their competence, but a display of institutional arrogance and intellectual prejudice.
In a deeply disturbing allegation, the chair of the interview panel, identified as Mrs. Ekereobong Umoh, reportedly dismissed their academic discipline in scathing terms, describing it as “nonsense” and ordering them out. The candidates further alleged that members of the panel laughed at them as they were sent away (an act that, if true, is not only unprofessional but a flagrant abuse of office).
Such conduct raises serious questions about the credibility of the screening process and the mindset of those entrusted with it. Civil service recruitment is meant to reflect fairness, objectivity, and respect for all qualified applicants. When senior officials instead act as arbiters of personal bias, deciding, arbitrarily, which degrees are “worthy”, they do more than humiliate individuals; they undermine the very foundation of public administration.
Even more troubling is the ignorance embedded in the alleged remarks. To dismiss Ibibio Language as irrelevant to administration is to fundamentally misunderstand the essence of governance in a culturally rooted society. Ibibio Language is not a trivial pursuit; it is an academic discipline grounded in linguistics, communication, and cultural studies. Its graduates are uniquely equipped to bridge the gap between government and grassroots communities, where policies must be understood, accepted, and implemented.
In a state where Ibibio is widely spoken, the value of such expertise cannot be overstated. Effective civil service is not merely about file-pushing and bureaucratic routine; it is about communication, mediation, and public engagement. From health sensitization campaigns to community conflict resolution, Ibibio Language graduates bring a depth of local knowledge and communicative precision that many conventional administrative degrees simply cannot offer.
It is therefore both ironic and alarming that those tasked with strengthening the civil service would seek to exclude precisely the kind of talent that enhances its relevance.
Governor Umo Eno, to his credit, has taken a markedly different stance. Through the ARISE recruitment initiative, his administration has signaled a commitment to inclusivity, encouraging graduates from diverse academic backgrounds (including indigenous language studies) to contribute to state-building. This approach reflects a modern understanding of governance, one that values not only technical expertise but also cultural competence.
By opening the recruitment process to Ibibio Language graduates, the governor has affirmed that every field of knowledge has a role to play in public service. It is a progressive vision (one that aligns with global trends emphasizing local content, cultural preservation, and citizen-centered governance).
Unfortunately, incidents like this suggest that not everyone within the system shares that vision. Instead, a small but powerful group of civil servants appears intent on dragging the state backward, clinging to outdated notions of what constitutes “useful” knowledge. In doing so, they risk sabotaging the very reforms they are meant to implement.
The aftermath of the incident has been equally telling. The affected graduates, disillusioned and humiliated, reportedly returned to their department to question the value of their degrees. A senior academic, angered by the development, has since called on the media to amplify the issue, warning that such actions could erode public confidence in the state’s recruitment process.
His concern is not misplaced. When qualified candidates are ridiculed and excluded without cause, it sends a dangerous message, that merit is secondary to prejudice, and that the system can be manipulated by those who wield unchecked authority.
If Akwa Ibom State is to move forward, such tendencies must be confronted head-on. There must be accountability for those who abuse their positions, and a reaffirmation that no discipline, least of all one rooted in the people’s language and identity, is beneath the dignity of public service.
Ibibio Language is not a liability; it is an asset. And in the hands of capable graduates, it is a powerful instrument for governance, inclusion, and development.
The question now is whether the system will correct itself, or whether those within the corridors of power will continue to undermine a governor’s vision, one act of quiet sabotage at a time.
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Thomas Thomas, PhD, writes from Otung Otong, Obotim Ikot Ekong.
