How to avoid job and recruitment scams in Nigeria

Red flags for fake government recruitment, “agent” fees, and phishing portals — and how to apply safely.

By Cephas Tope

What this is

Fake recruitment thrives wherever people are hungry for federal or high-paying private jobs. Scammers impersonate FCSC, NSCDC, FRSC, Customs, banks, and oil companies — often on WhatsApp, Facebook, or cloned websites. Hard rules: genuine government recruitment is free. No one needs your bank OTP to “shortlist” you. No legitimate officer collects cash for forms, CBT slots, medicals, or training kits at a roadside office. Official portals use known government domains; double-check spellings. On Handmework, prefer verified listings and company pages, read scam warnings on each recruitment hub, and use official portal buttons. If a message pressures you to pay today or “forward to 50 people,” walk away and report it. Protect documents: share only what a real portal requests, watermark certificates when emailing, and never send your BVN to a stranger. Build your CV once, apply yourself, and ignore anyone who claims special access to a shortlist.

What to do first

Use a real vacancy with a company name. Write only dates, titles, and results you can defend in an interview. Apply through the method on the listing. Never pay a processing fee or share an OTP. Save the PDF and the date you sent it. If the employer did not post pay, leave money off the document.

Common mistakes

Use a real vacancy with a company name. Write only dates, titles, and results you can defend in an interview. Apply through the method on the listing. Never pay a processing fee or share an OTP. Save the PDF and the date you sent it. If the employer did not post pay, leave money off the document.

How Handmework fits

Use a real vacancy with a company name. Write only dates, titles, and results you can defend in an interview. Apply through the method on the listing. Never pay a processing fee or share an OTP. Save the PDF and the date you sent it. If the employer did not post pay, leave money off the document.

After you apply

Use a real vacancy with a company name. Write only dates, titles, and results you can defend in an interview. Apply through the method on the listing. Never pay a processing fee or share an OTP. Save the PDF and the date you sent it. If the employer did not post pay, leave money off the document.

Frequently asked questions

Is government recruitment in Nigeria free?

Yes. Federal and civil service recruitment does not charge for forms or shortlisting. Anyone demanding payment is running a scam.

How do I know a recruitment portal is real?

Use links from the agency’s known website or Handmework recruitment hubs that point to official domains. Be suspicious of lookalike URLs and unsolicited WhatsApp “portals.”

What should I do if I already paid a fake agent?

Stop further payments, keep evidence, report to the platform and relevant authorities, and monitor your accounts. Do not share OTPs with anyone who contacts you afterward.

Should I invent numbers or survey stats?

No. Only use figures the employer posted or results you can defend in an interview.