The Federal Civil Service Commission, FCSC, says nearly 5,800 civil servants have sat for this year’s Directorate Cadre Promotion Examination, out of about 5,900 registered candidates.
The Chairman of the Commission, Professor Tunji Olaopa, disclosed this while monitoring the exercise across the country. He said the examination was held across the six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory to make it easier for eligible civil servants to participate without travelling long distances.
According to him, about 97 per cent of candidates arrived at their centres on time, indicating high level of preparedness and compliance.
Olaopa noted that minor internet connectivity problems recorded at some centres were promptly resolved using alternative identification codes provided by the technical team. He added that special arrangements were also made for candidates with visual and physical challenges to ensure inclusivity and equal opportunity.
The FCSC Chairman said the adoption of Computer-Based Test, CBT, has made the examination easier to manage compared to the previous manual system. He described this year’s exercise as a significant improvement, rating it at least 90 per cent, compared with 68 per cent recorded last year.
According to him, the CBT format has reduced examination malpractice, improved transparency and accelerated the release of results.
Olaopa said the Commission may expand the examination to more states in subsequent editions to further reduce logistical burden on candidates. He explained that decentralising the examination centres has also helped to cut costs for both government and civil servants.
The Chairman commended the Ministry of Education, JAMB and other technical partners for their support in ensuring a smooth exercise. He reiterated the Commission’s commitment to merit, fairness and professionalism in the promotion of civil servants to directorate level.
Olaopa urged successful candidates to see their elevation as a call to higher responsibility and to contribute more effectively to public service delivery and the implementation of government reforms.
Olaopa further disclosed that the results of the examination will be processed and released in record time, with successful candidates proceeding to the next stage of oral interviews.
He said the Commission has put measures in place to ensure that only qualified and competent officers are promoted to the directorate cadre, which is critical to policy formulation and execution.
The examination covers officers on Grade Levels 14 and 15 seeking promotion to directorate positions across various Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government.
The FCSC Chairman assured that the promotion exercise will continue to be conducted with integrity and in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu to reposition the federal civil service for optimal performance.
