A workplace story has ignited conversations on social media. An office reportedly chose character over performance when deciding which NYSC corps member to retain.
ABUJA, NIGERIA — A Nigerian woman has shared how employees at her office reportedly advised management against retaining a high-performing NYSC corps member because of concerns about her attitude. The account, which she posted on social media, has generated widespread reactions about the balance between competence and workplace behaviour.
According to the woman, the organisation had two female NYSC corps members serving in different roles. She said one corps member built a positive relationship with colleagues by greeting staff, working well with others and maintaining a friendly attitude. The second corps member, she claimed, received frequent complaints from employees over what they described as rude behaviour.
The woman explained that the company’s management asked the Human Resources department to evaluate both corps members ahead of the end of their service year because it intended to retain only one employee. She said the corps member with the reported attitude issues had already secured a marketing deal and consistently delivered strong results, while the other was still learning the role. Despite that performance, she claimed eight out of ten staff members recommended that management should not retain the high-performing corps member. According to her, one employee even volunteered to mentor and train the friendlier corps member if she was offered the position.
The post has attracted mixed reactions across social media platforms. While some users argued that organisations should prioritise teamwork, professionalism and good character, others maintained that exceptional talent should not be overlooked if coaching and performance management can improve workplace behaviour. Extra News Nigeria has not independently verified the claims made in the viral post or identified the organisation involved.
The development means many employers continue to weigh technical ability alongside interpersonal skills when making hiring decisions. Human resource professionals often consider teamwork, communication, adaptability and workplace conduct as important factors in employee retention, especially for roles that require regular collaboration with colleagues and clients.
