Federal civil service commission chairman inspects 2026 directorate cadre promotion examination

The Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Prof. Tunji Olaopa, has expressed satisfaction with the smooth conduct of the 2026 Directorate Cadre Promotion Examination, describing the adoption of Computer-Based Testing (CBT) as a major step towards modernising the promotion process in the Federal Civil Service.

Olaopa stated this on Monday after inspecting eight examination centres across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where the exercise was conducted alongside other designated centres across the country.

He disclosed that out of about 5,900 candidates expected to participate in the examination, 5,792 had successfully taken the test as of the time of the inspection.

According to him, the examination was decentralised across the six geopolitical zones to make participation easier for eligible Officers and improve the administration of the promotion process.

He explained that the FCT recorded the highest number of candidates partly because of its accessibility to officers from neighbouring States, including Kogi and Niger, thereby reducing the burden of travelling long distances to examination centres.

The FCSC Chairman said the introduction of CBT had made the examination easier to administer than the previous manual system, while providing greater opportunities for standardisation, transparency and efficient assessment.

He disclosed that about 97 per cent of candidates arrived at their centres on time, while minor cases of late arrival were appropriately managed.

Olaopa also acknowledged initial challenges with internet connectivity at some centres, noting that alternative candidate identification codes were provided to enable affected candidates access the examination without prolonged delays.

He said the Commission, in collaboration with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), also made provisions for candidates with visual and physical challenges, including those who had not earlier communicated their special requirements.

On concerns over computer literacy, the FCSC Chairman said the CBT platform was designed to be simple and user-friendly, requiring only basic navigation skills adding that demonstration materials had been provided to candidates ahead of the examination.

Olaopa stressed that the Commission remained committed to protecting the integrity of the promotion process by preventing undue interference and manipulation.

He said career progression in the Federal Civil Service must be based on merit, competence and demonstrable performance, adding that the Commission’s broader reform agenda was aimed at strengthening competency-based human resource management in the public service.

The Chairman noted that while the Commission rated the conduct of the 2025 promotion examination at about 68 per cent, preliminary assessment of the 2026 exercise indicated an improvement of not less than 90 per cent.

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

Olaopa commended the candidates, examination officials, JAMB and other stakeholders for their cooperation, assuring that the Commission would continue to improve the promotion examination system to make it more accessible, efficient and credible.