FCSC: 5,792 officers sit for directorate cadre promotion exam

The Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) has said that 5,792 civil servants have so far sat for the 2026 Directorate Cadre Promotion Examination, conducted via the Computer-Based Testing (CBT) system across the country.

FCSC Chairman, Prof. Tunji Olaopa, disclosed this on Monday after inspecting eight examination centres in the Federal Capital Territory, where he assessed the conduct of the exercise.

Olaopa said the Commission had planned for about 5,900 candidates for the examination, which was decentralised across the six geopolitical zones to improve accessibility and reduce the logistical burden on eligible officers.

He said the FCT recorded the highest number of candidates, partly because of its accessibility to civil servants from neighbouring states, including Kogi and Niger.

The FCSC chairman described the adoption of CBT as a major improvement in administering promotion examinations in the Federal Public Service, saying the system had proved easier to administer than the previous manual process.

According to him, CBT would also enhance standardisation, transparency, and efficiency in assessing candidates.

“Based on the experience so far, the CBT has proved considerably easier to administer than the previous manual system,” Olaopa said.

He disclosed that about 97 per cent of candidates arrived at their examination centres on time, adding that the few late arrivals were appropriately managed.

The chairman said the exercise recorded only minor operational challenges, including initial internet connectivity problems at some centres.

He explained that the Commission provided an alternative candidate identification code, enabling affected candidates to access the examination without prolonged delays.

Olaopa also said the Commission had made arrangements to accommodate candidates with visual and physical challenges.

He said the Commission worked with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to make necessary adjustments for candidates with special requirements who had not communicated them ahead of the examination.

On concerns over computer literacy among candidates, the FCSC chairman said the examination platform was designed to be simple and user-friendly, requiring only basic navigation skills.

He added that demonstration materials were provided ahead of the examination to familiarise candidates with the CBT platform.

Olaopa urged civil servants to improve their digital skills, noting that the increasing digitalisation of government operations made basic computer competency increasingly important.

He further reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to protecting the integrity of the promotion process and preventing manipulation or undue interference.

According to him, the FCSC has a responsibility to ensure that career progression in the Federal Civil Service is based on merit, competence and demonstrable performance.

He said the Commission’s broader reform agenda aimed to strengthen competency-based human resource management in the Public Service.

The chairman said the Commission had learnt from the previous examination, noting that it rated the conduct of the 2025 exercise at about 68 per cent.

However, he expressed satisfaction with the 2026 exercise, putting its performance so far at least 90 per cent.

Olaopa identified logistics, network dependence, examination question-setting and other operational processes as areas requiring further improvement.

He commended candidates, examination officials, JAMB and other stakeholders for their cooperation, stressing that the Commission would continue to improve the examination process to make it more accessible, efficient and credible.

He added that promotion in the Federal Civil Service must continue to reflect competence, merit and professional development.