The Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Professor Tunji Olaopa, has said that beginning from the 2025 promotion exercise, all promotion examinations in the Federal Civil Service will be conducted via Computer-Based Test (CBT).

Olaopa announced this on Monday at the FCSC Strategic Plan stakeholder validation workshop, where he emphasised the deployment of technology to improve service delivery while ensuring transparency and accountability in the operations of the Commission.

He noted that the engagement served as the validation phase for the emerging medium-term strategic plan, which aims to deepen and consolidate the reform initiatives the 10th Commission, under his leadership, has introduced.

Olaopa recalled that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, during the inauguration of the 10th FCSC on 13 December 2023, had charged the Commission to reposition itself to become the catalyst for the deepening and consolidation of the implementation of past and ongoing efforts to transform the Federal bureaucracy.

He explained that the Commission had undertaken a rapid assessment of the FCSC as the basis for developing the repositioning plan, which it has since been implementing, though with identifiable gaps. This, he said, necessitated subjecting the strategic plan to stakeholders’ validation.

On the Computer-Based Test in public service, Olaopa noted that the introduction of the CBT mode for promotion examinations would make the exercise more transparent and accountable, in line with ongoing reforms to enthrone meritocracy in the Federal Civil Service.

He pointed out that the previous year’s promotion examination was conducted as a written test, requiring workers from across the country to travel to Abuja, with all the associated inconveniences.

“We are working with the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to institutionalise performance-based systems that link promotions and career progression to key performance indicators (KPIs), citizen feedback mechanisms, and a revised annual appraisal report in federal service promotion exercises and career management.

“Also, with automated HR systems and digital transformation, which we consider central to improving public trust and operational agility.

“Furthermore, we are working to embed ethical frameworks, internal audit systems, and whistle-blower protections in key operations.

“We are deepening the framework for a meritocratic and transparent implementation of the federal character principles as enshrined in the Constitution, along with clear, implementable guidelines for the representation of women and persons with disabilities (PWDs),” Olaopa stated.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, who was represented at the event, commended the FCSC for its decision to engage stakeholders at this stage, saying it reflected a deep appreciation of the value of inclusiveness, collaboration, and shared ownership of reforms within the Civil Service.

She noted that the Civil Service remains the engine room for policy formulation and implementation in Nigeria and that, for it to effectively discharge this role, “our institutions must continually reposition themselves to meet evolving governance challenges, adopt international best practices, and deliver services more efficiently to the Nigerian people”. (Nigerian Tribune)