No fewer than 5,990 education officers in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) have commenced their 2026 promotion examinations after FCT Minister Nyesom Wike intervened to allow those who missed the 2025 exercise to participate.

The examination, which started last week, entered its sixth day on Monday, with education officers and teachers from Grade Levels 13 to 17 participating.

Officers who missed the August 2025 promotion examination after a disruption had another opportunity to sit for it.

During an inspection of the examination venue, the Head of the FCTA Civil Service, Nancy Nathan, expressed satisfaction with the turnout and orderly conduct of the candidates.

Ms Nathan described Mr Wike’s intervention as a demonstration of the administration’s commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“I am so happy that they came out in this number for their examination. The last time, some of them were swept into the protest and could not write. 

“But the honourable minister, in the spirit of the Renewed Hope Agenda, renewed their hope by approving that they should come and write the exams,” she stated.

Ms Nathan noted that promotion remained an important pathway to career advancement in public service.

According to her, the availability of promotion slots at higher grade levels is limited by the civil service structure, which provides fewer positions as officers advance through the ranks.

Ms Nathan also attributed some of the constraints to the implementation of the harmonised retirement age for teachers, which extended their service by five years and reduced retirement-related vacancies over the past four years.

The FCTA Civil Service boss noted that opportunities remained available at lower cadres, urging candidates to perform well, as promotions would be based on merit and available vacancies.

In his remarks, the chairman of the FCT Civil Service Commission, Emeka Ezeh, confirmed that approximately 5,990 education officers were participating in the current phase of the promotion exercise.

Mr Ezeh, who hailed the candidates for their turnout and orderly conduct since the start of the examinations, noted that the assessment covered officers seeking promotion from Grade Level 13 to 14 and up to Grade Level 17.

He warned the candidates against allowing themselves to be influenced by external interests or political considerations that could jeopardise their professional advancement.

The chairman reiterated the commission’s commitment to a transparent, merit-based promotion process.