The Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) has commenced the 2026 Directorate Cadre Promotion Examination for about 5,900 officers on Salary Grade Levels 14–17, with the FCSC Chairman, Prof Tunji Olaopa, declaring that Computer-Based Testing (CBT) has come to stay in the conduct of promotion examinations.
Olaopa stated this on Monday after inspecting examination centres in Abuja, where he expressed satisfaction with the largely seamless conduct of the exercise across the country.
He disclosed that 5,792 candidates had so far taken the examination out of the approximately 5,900 candidates scheduled for the exercise.
The examination, which commenced on Monday, 21 September, is being conducted across seven centres covering the Federal Capital Territory and the six geopolitical zones, with the exercise expected to end on Wednesday, 23 September.
The Chairman inspected CBT centres at 23 Technologies Limited, NAF Valley Estate; Anglican Girls Grammar School CBT Centre, Apo; JC Best Schools International CBT Centre, Life Camp; and Adeola International School, Kubwa, among others in Abuja.
Olaopa said the decentralisation of the examination was designed to make participation easier for officers and reduce the logistical burden associated with travelling to distant centres.
According to him, the FCT recorded the highest number of candidates partly because of its accessibility to officers from neighbouring states such as Kogi and Niger.
He said the conduct of the examination had demonstrated the effectiveness of CBT, noting that the system was easier to administer than the previous manual process.
“From what we have seen and observed today, it is clear that computer-based test has come to stay. I can tell you that it is far, far easier to handle than the manual system,” he said.
Olaopa disclosed that about 97 per cent of the candidates reported on time, while the few cases of late arrival were managed without disrupting the exercise.
He, however, identified internet connectivity, logistics and some cases of low computer literacy as areas requiring further improvement.
The Chairman said an alternative identification code had been provided to candidates to minimise delays where internet connectivity affected the activation of the examination.
He added that arrangements were also made, in partnership with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), to accommodate candidates with visual and physical challenges, including those who failed to indicate their special needs during registration.
On computer literacy, Olaopa said the examination platform was designed to be simple and user-friendly, stressing that candidates required only basic navigation skills.
He said demonstration materials had been made available ahead of the examination and urged civil servants to improve their digital skills as government operations become increasingly technology-driven.
Olaopa also warned that officers who repeatedly fail the promotion examination could eventually be exited from the Civil Service.
He explained that while candidates who fail are initially given opportunities for further training and support, the existing policy provides that an officer who fails the examination three times may be exited from the system.
He also warned that examination malpractice would attract disciplinary action, including dismissal, after due process.
The Chairman said the Commission was committed to ensuring that promotion in the Civil Service was based on merit, competence and demonstrable performance.
He said the FCSC had put safeguards in place to minimise political or other forms of interference in the examination and promotion process.
According to him, the Commission’s mandate includes strengthening and reinventing competency-based human resource management to ensure that officers earn their career progression.
Olaopa said the Commission’s efforts were part of a broader reform aimed at restoring professionalism and confidence in the Federal Civil Service.
He also disclosed that the 2026 exercise had recorded significant improvement compared with the previous year’s examination, which he personally rated at about 68 per cent.
“I can beat my chest that this year is clearly not less than 90 per cent,” he said, while noting that there was still room for improvement, particularly in logistics and network infrastructure.
The FCSC Chairman commended JAMB, the Commission’s staff, commissioners, security agencies and other stakeholders for their contributions to the successful conduct of the exercise.
He said the Commission would continue to review the process and explore ways of making future promotion examinations more accessible, efficient, transparent and credible.
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