The Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Folashade Yemi-Esan has commended the conduct of the second batch of the Computer Based Test, CBT, and confirmation promotion exams for public servants across the Federation.
Head Services gave the commendation when she took a tour around the examination centres in Abuja, Nigeria.
According to her, the CBT mode of examination has come to stay given the Service’s drive towards digitalisation.
She said the CBT exams are part of the ongoing reforms under digitalisation pillar of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP 25).
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Office of the Head of Service of the Federation Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, Dr Yemi-Esan stated the COMPRO exams is for junior public servants on grade levels 1-6.
“As you can see, we witnessed the first session and we are witnessing the Second session. It has been a well-organised session. Don’t forget, this is the first time we are holding the CBT for the junior COMPRO. Last year was for the senior, so people sitting for this are the same as last year, so the level of comportment and the way they are handling the systems, for now, is very good”.
She further stated that some gaps were identified during the 2022 CBT promotion exams which the OHCSF adjusted noting that the Service will do more to make it better.
“We’ve identified areas where we need to improve, like the accreditation. Last year was a bit rowdy, this year is okay, but we need to still go back to the drawing board to see what we can do to further improve the accreditation”.
From 1-10, the Head of Service assesses the conduct of the examination to be 8.
“From what I’m seeing, I will rate it 8 then go back to the drawing board and address the minus 2″.
She disclosed that 9618 public servants sat for the exams across the Federation while the Federal Capital Territory has 1588 candidates for the exams, including the paramilitary.
For his part, the Director, of Learning and Development in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr. Atabor Adamu said due to the challenges encountered during the 2022 CBT promotion examination which was the first, proactive measures have been taken to ensure a seamless exercise which has been achieved.
He said the systems have also been upgraded and protected from being compromised.
“This time around, we brought in some electronic devices and upgraded the portal so that from the registration processes, some of these challenges which were encountered last year will be addressed”.
“Yes, it’s a human being that’s manning it and definitely, there may be elements of compromises, but there is software that has been installed that will checkmate the process from the point of registration to the examination point. There are elements of checks and balances that check certain frauds “, he explained.
It could be recalled that the Head of Civil Service of the Federation had made it clear that one of her priorities is to ensure that the Federal Civil Service becomes fully digitalised by 2025.
Dominica Nwabufo
