The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on Thursday conducted a computer-based promotional examination for over 6,000 directorate cadre staff of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) in a major step toward digitalising civil service assessments.
Speaking with journalists during the exercise in Abuja, JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, said the examination was also conducted for candidates in the United Kingdom, the United States, India, and Egypt, reflecting the board’s capacity to deploy credible technology-driven assessments beyond Nigeria’s borders.
Oloyede described the initiative as a bold and forward-looking reform, commending the FCSC leadership for embracing technology to improve transparency, efficiency, and integrity in promotions.
He noted that the Computer-Based Test (CBT) format was designed to be simple and user-friendly, assuring candidates that anyone familiar with using a smartphone could navigate the system with ease.
“The international scope of this examination shows that Nigeria now has the capacity to conduct credible, technology-based assessments anywhere in the world,” Oloyede said.
He explained that the process also helped to reduce anxiety among civil servants about digital exams, as many who were initially apprehensive found the system straightforward and transparent after participating.
The JAMB Registrar praised the Federal Civil Service Commission for collaborating with JAMB, noting that adopting CBT for promotions would “enhance credibility, eliminate malpractice, and set a new standard for public service assessment.”
Also speaking, the Commissioner representing the FCT and Niger State on the FCSC, Dr. Hussaini Adamu, expressed satisfaction with the smooth conduct of the exercise.
He disclosed that the assessment began on Wednesday with about 1,500 candidates participating in three sessions, adding that the process was “well-coordinated, transparent, and efficiently managed.”
Adamu explained that the exam centres were equipped with CCTV cameras and fully functional systems, while the environment was conducive for effective conduct.
“Many candidates who were initially sceptical now prefer the CBT format to the traditional pen-and-paper method because it is faster, fairer, and more transparent,” he said.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Prof. Adetunji Olaopa, described the initiative as a historic milestone, noting that it was the first time the commission would use a CBT platform for promotion examinations.
He said the move represented a significant leap toward modernising Nigeria’s civil service, adding that the collaboration with JAMB provided the technical expertise and confidence needed to execute the reform successfully.
Olaopa explained that the FCSC decided to start with a pilot phase before expanding nationwide, using lessons from the current exercise to improve future editions.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the examinations were held across 10 accredited centres in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with thousands of senior civil servants participating both locally and abroad.
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