Nigeria has commenced Computer Based Test (CBT) for Federal Civil Servants across the country.
Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan said the exams are meant to improve proficiency, speed and transparency for effective service delivery.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary Special Duties Office, Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Engr. Farouq Yabo, the Head of Service said the exercise was the implementation of digitalisation and local content management of the Civil Service records and work process.
” As you know the Head of Civil Service is the one responsible for conducting confirmation examinations that are compulsory before any public officer is confirmed into the Service and all along, the process has been done manually, but in the efforts to ensure this digitalisation process for the very first time, we are subjecting this particular exercise to a digital form.
” And as you can see, we’re partnering already with Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, it goes to show the level of collaboration not just between public and public, but between public and private because across the country today,in the 36 States of the Federation and the FCT, we have 69 centres where these examinations are going on concurrently and in Abuja alone, we have 14 centres.“
According to him, the exercise closes the era of manual open book and ushered in an era of critical knowledge and the ability to use Computers is going to be the driver in the Civil Service.
While responding to questions from Voice of Nigeria’s Correspondent, the Permanent Secretary said he was satisfied with the conduct of the exams so far.
” So far, I’m quite satisfied of course this is the very first time we’re having this kind of exams and so you’ll expect a little bit of incumbrances here and there, but overall, this has been an excellent outing. This is signifying clearly that the digitalisation process of the Civil Service in line with the Civil Service Strategy and Implementation plan has come to Stay. And it’s going to be the basis for delivery of Service in an efficient, cost-effective and revenue-generating pattern.”
On whether there were challenges, Yabo said there is a need to improve the accreditation process.
” There’s this thinking that people can be represented, but so far the personnel on ground have been able to manage all that but we just want to assure that an investigation will be carried on and anybody that’s found not to be in compliance with the standard set by JAMB, those exams will be cancelled and then we’ll have to take necessary disciplinary measures against the culprits.”
Speaking on the conduct of the examinations, the Registrar, of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, Professor Ishaq Oloyede said so far, so good.
He, however, noted that any challenge faced is surmountable.
” It is a very good collaboration and we’re going round. The examination is taking place across the 36 States plus the FCT. So far, so good and it’s going on very well. “
A civil servant with the Public Complaint Commission, Adeniyi Adegbe said the conduct of the exams was orderly.
However, Adegbe said he preferred the manually written form.
” Sincerely I’ll say written is preferable.”
Mr Adegbe also lamented the distance between the place of residence of the candidates and the exam centres.
Akeem Yakubu, a staff of the National Environmental Standard and Regulations Enforcement Agency, NESREA said it is a Plus for Nigeria to move from manual to digital.
“Most exams in the world are CBT, so I think it’s a good transition for Nigeria to move from theory to CBT. I think it’s very ok, so I prefer CBT to theory.”
So far, 13,000 Civil Servants have been shortlisted for the confirmation examinations.
PIAK