Over 4000 Applicants Jostle For 550 Slots, As Taraba Recruits Nurses, Midwives

Over 4,000 applicants are competing for just 550 available positions as the Taraba State Government begins screening and interviews for the recruitment of nurses and midwives to address manpower shortages in the state’s healthcare system.

The exercise, being conducted by the Taraba State Health Services Management Board in Jalingo, is aimed at strengthening staffing levels across public health facilities in the state.

The Executive Secretary of the Board, Dr. Garba Danjuma, said the recruitment portal attracted more than 4,000 applications, but only 550 slots were approved by the state government.

He explained that the selection process is designed to identify qualified health professionals through competency-based assessments.

“We received over 4,000 applications after opening the recruitment portal for nurses and midwives. However, the state government approved only 550 positions. Our responsibility is to ensure that only qualified and competent personnel are recruited into the service,” he said.

Danjuma added that applicants are being subjected to professional screening to ensure merit-based selection and to fill critical gaps in the health sector.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bordiya G. Buma, who monitored the exercise, said the recruitment reflects Governor Agbu Kefas’ commitment to improving healthcare delivery in Taraba State.

He assured applicants of a transparent and fair process, stressing that competence and professionalism would guide the selection.

“This administration is committed to improving healthcare delivery across Taraba State. The recruitment exercise will be conducted strictly on merit without favoritism or undue influence,” he said.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Health Services Management Board, Dr. Ebenezer Apake, said the exercise would last between two and three days and focus mainly on nurses and midwives.

He said successful candidates would be recommended for employment after the screening process, adding that staff welfare and career progression remain priorities of the board.

Apake noted that promotion exercises for existing staff would continue, following deliberations at the board’s 39th meeting.

He said the recruitment forms part of broader efforts by the Taraba State Government to improve healthcare staffing levels and expand access to quality medical services across the state.