The Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) says it recorded a success rate of more than 98 per cent in the 2026 promotion examinations for directorate-level federal civil servants across the country.

Tunji Olaopa, chairman of the commission, disclosed this on Monday after inspecting eight examination centres in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Mr Olaopa said the commission had completed about 98 per cent of the exercise, with only one centre scheduled to conduct the examination on Tuesday.

He said a total of 5,900 candidates were expected to participate, while 5,792 had so far taken the examination.

The FCSC boss said the examination was conducted in seven locations across the country, including Abuja and the six geopolitical zones.

He said the North-Central examination was held in Lafia, the North-East in Gombe, the North-West in Kaduna, the South-South in Port Harcourt, the South-East in Enugu and the South-West in Ibadan, while Abuja served as the FCT centre.

Mr Olaopa explained that the decentralisation of the exercise was intended to make participation easier for candidates, adding that some candidates from neighbouring states were assigned to centres that were more convenient for them.

He said the decentralisation represented a departure from the 2025 exercise, which was conducted entirely in Abuja.

“From what we have seen and observed today, it is clear that computer-based testing has come to stay. It is far easier to handle than the manual system.

“Last year, it was a bit tedious for us, but this year, we have been able to handle it seamlessly,” he said.

Mr Olaopa, however, identified some areas requiring improvement, including internet connectivity, computer literacy among some candidates and logistics.

He said disruptions to internet connectivity delayed activation of the examination application at some centres but that the commission had an alternative identity-code system to prevent prolonged delays.

He also said the commission had made provisions for candidates with disabilities, although some candidates with temporary visual impairments failed to notify the commission ahead of the examination.

He said the commission had to improvise to accommodate such candidates.

Mr Olaopa said low computer literacy among some civil servants was also observed but did not significantly affect the examination because the CBT platform was designed to be simple and straightforward.

He said candidates were provided with demonstrations and guides to enable them to navigate the system.

He commended the commission’s staff, honorary commissioners, security agencies and other stakeholders for their roles in ensuring the smooth conduct of the exercise.

Mr Olaopa particularly appreciated officials of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), as well as representatives of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the State Security Service (SSS), among others.

He said the commission had also received intelligence information throughout the exercise, which contributed to its success.

On computer literacy among civil servants, Mr Olaopa said ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) needed to intensify training, especially for older civil servants.

He said the commission was considering introducing some form of information technology certification as a prequalification for promotion examinations, possibly from 2027.

The chairman said such a policy would encourage civil servants to acquire basic digital skills and overcome their fear of technology.

Mr Olaopa said the commission was also working to address situations where the number of candidates seeking promotion was significantly higher than available vacancies.

He described a situation in which hundreds of candidates competed for a small number of vacancies as an indication of weaknesses in succession planning and human-resource management.

He attributed such situations to factors including recruitment backlogs, recruitment embargoes and historical inconsistencies in workforce planning.

The chairman said the commission was working toward a system that would provide clearer and more sustainable career progression for civil servants.

Also speaking, Yarima Mukhtar, deputy director, Employee Mobility and Career Management Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, commended the commission for decentralising the exercise.

Mr Mukhtar said the 2025 promotion examination was conducted only in Abuja, whereas the 2026 exercise was extended to the six geopolitical zones in addition to the FCT.

He also commended JAMB for handling the CBT component of the exercise.

According to him, while JAMB is responsible for the CBT component, the FCSC handles the overall examination process.

He said the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation would continue to work with the commission to ensure effective promotion of eligible civil servants.

Mr Mukhtar said promotion remained one of the major sources of motivation and career satisfaction for civil servants. 

(NAN)