The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited’s career portal crashed just two hours after the announcement of their latest recruitment drive.
The surge in traffic led to slow load times and accessibility issues for many applicants eager to apply for the new positions.
When Meteor Nigeria checked the web portal, Friday morning, it was unaccessible and a blank 403 error page had replaced the portal’s landing page.
The corporation had announced a recruitment drive around 6am on Friday via a statement issued on X.com by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer Femi Soneye.
“NNPC Ltd is pleased to announce that we are currently hiring for multiple positions across various departments. We are seeking talented and dedicated individuals to join our team. Visit our careers page for application instructions,” the statement announcing the recruitment said.
About two hours later, Soneye returned to X.com to acknowledge the complaints from Nigerians who had attempted to register on the job portal to no avail.
He said, “Due to unprecedented traffic to the NNPC Ltd career page from applicants applying for vacancies, the site is currently experiencing slow load times.
“Our techs are working diligently to rectify the problem. Please be assured that the application process deadline remains Aug 20, 2024.”
NNPC Ltd’s recruitment announcement includes multiple openings across various departments. The organization is seeking talented and dedicated individuals to join their team, promising a fair and transparent selection process.
The news of the site crash and the subsequent assurance by NNPC sparked diverse reactions on social media. Some users expressed frustration and scepticism, while others encouraged potential applicants to remain optimistic and persistent.
Public Reactions on Twitter
ACHO (@achomuziq) voiced strong criticism: “What a shame. A whole NNPC cannot get enough bandwidth to accommodate their site traffic. It’s their way of life. This post is just a smoke screen. They would have employed their cronies already. Like I always say, nothing good comes out of Sodom. Same story always.”
Conversely, XYZ praised the initiative: “Kudos to NNPC Ltd for offering a platform for talented individuals to thrive and make a meaningful impact in the energy industry! This recruitment drive is a testament to the company’s commitment to excellence and growth. I urge all qualified candidates to apply and be part of a team that’s shaping the future of energy in Nigeria.”
Black Skip Bayless (@EL_Mastey) offered a balanced perspective: “Last NNPC recruitment, some people didn’t apply because they felt they didn’t have any connections. Others trusted their credentials and the process, and it paid off. Apply—you have nothing to lose and much to gain.”
Evergreen (@umlzubair) and Adekunle (@Kayfayemi) expressed scepticism, suggesting the recruitment announcement might be a distraction from ongoing industry scandals.
“Wanting to take away our minds from the myriads of scandal bedevilling the oil and gas industry. We got you right,” tweeted Evergreen.
Adekunle added, “NNPC dropping the recruitment link right now? I see it as a distraction…They want to distract you from the revelations made by Dangote and/or the planned actions. Be wise!”
Others like Akin W Adedotun (@AkinWAdedotun) called for privatization and external management of the recruitment process: “Just privatise NNPC and allow KPMG or Deloitte to handle recruitment. Pay off the staff to be laid off handsomely.”
Despite the mixed reactions, many still view the recruitment drive as a significant opportunity.
Bulama Muhammad Bukar (@BMB1_Official) highlighted its potential: “This is a dream opportunity for professionals looking to elevate their careers and contribute to Nigeria’s energy success story! NNPC Ltd’s recruitment drive is a chance to be part of a legacy, drive innovation, and make a lasting impact.”