By Gyang Bere
In a landmark decision, Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang of Plateau State has formally absorbed more than 700 long-serving ad-hoc staff of state-owned tertiary institutions, ending years of uncertainty and underpayment. The announcement, made on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, comes after decades of employment embargoes and temporary appointments that left many staff underpaid and marginalized. Since 2007, Plateau’s tertiary institutions struggled with staffing shortages due to a crippling employment freeze. Institutions relied heavily on casual, part-time, and temporary staff to sustain operations. For over a decade, these workers earned stipends ranging from ₦6,000 to ₦15,000 while performing full-time academic and administrative duties.Upon assuming office in May 2023, Governor Mutfwang reviewed the state’s employment practices, identifying irregularities in previous recruitments. Many qualified long-serving staff had been overlooked, while unqualified candidates were admitted through non-transparent processes. Describing the situation as “immoral, ungodly, and unjust,” the Governor suspended the flawed recruitment exercise to conduct a thorough verification and merit-based review.
The review involved reconstituted governing councils and a dedicated Help Desk at the Ministry of Education. Qualified ad-hoc staff were reinstated, while verification ensured transparency and fairness. As a result, more than 700 staff, some serving for up to 23 years, have now secured formal employment with full recognition of their service.Beneficiaries expressed gratitude, noting that the absorption restored their dignity and morale. “Where we were ignored, he visited us. Where we were segregated, he embraced us. Governor Mutfwang restored us,” one staff member said. The move is expected to boost institutional stability and performance across the state’s tertiary education sector.
The Governor’s initiative also aims to strengthen human capital development. Plateau Polytechnic has increased student enrolment from 3,000 to 9,000, while the College of Education has received approval for 19 new degree programmes. Accreditation challenges have been addressed, and qualified leadership now directs the institutions.In addition, the Governor announced support for absorbed staff pursuing PhD programmes, demonstrating a long-term investment in the state’s educational and institutional growth. Officials emphasize that the measure corrects past administrative errors rather than a mass sacking, as some critics have claimed.Governor Mutfwang’s absorption of ad-hoc staff is being hailed as a triumph of justice and a reaffirmation of fair governance. It has restored confidence, instilled hope, and provided stability for hundreds of families across Plateau State, marking a new era in the state’s tertiary education sector.
