………….To adopt CBT for the 2025 promotion exams.
The Federal Civil Service Commission has unveiled its first strategic plan 2026-2030 after 75years of its establishment. The Commission will also be using a Computer Based Test (CBT) for all its promotion exams starting from this year’s 2025 promotion exercise.
The Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Tunji Olaopa disclosed this during the week at the Commission’s strategic plan stakeholder validation workshop held at Abuja Continental Hotel, Abuja. He stated that the deployment of technology to improve the performance and HR service delivery process of the Commission is sacrosanct. He added that CBT adoption among other ICT-enabled processes was to ensure transparency and accountability in the operations of the Commission.
He explained that the current move was borne out of the urgent need to reposition the organization, based on the charge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu gave the reconstituted 10th Commission on 13 December 2023 during its inauguration.
He also added that the Commission undertook a rapid assessment of the FCSC as the basis for developing the repositioning plan, which is being implemented. Olaopa, however said that the repositioning plan was packaged without a rigorous diagnostic research, systematic stakeholder engagement, and a well-grounded theory of change, which created a significant gaps. Hence, the need for the current strategic planning to drive FCSC transformation in line with 21st-century governance and management principles.
“It therefore became obvious to us one and a half years into the implementation of the FCSC repositioning plan, that the plan, as roadmap and an institutional response to the President’s charge to us, had significant gaps. Gaps, in terms of details of evidence-based concrete strategies, change management programmes and a carefully designed projects for a more reassuring transformation journey”.
On CBT, Olaopa said that this mode will make promotion examinations more transparent and accountable, in line with ongoing reforms in the Federal Civil Service; saying that previous year’s promotion examination were conducted as a written test requiring workers from across the country to travel to Abuja, with all the associated inconveniences.
According to him, meritocratic and transparent implementation of the federal character principle guidelines for the representation of women and persons with disabilities (PWDs) will be adopted.
In attendance with his Hon. Commissioners, he explained that the Commission is working in collaboration with the Office of the Heads of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) to deepen the reforms and 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; as well as set in motion a series of strategic processes that will transform FCSC into a critical HRM institution that will help transform federal public service and also, to achieve a one trillion dollar economy by year 2030 as captured within the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In her goodwill message, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, represented by Dr. Deborah Oyindamola Ninma Odoh (Perm. Sec.-Service Policies and Strategies Office); she said civil service is the engine room for policy formulation and implementation in Nigeria. She eulogized the Commission on its strategic planning validation and a deliberate decision to engage stakeholders; which she said, it reflected a deep appreciation of the value of inclusiveness, collaboration and shared ownership of the reforms within the federal public service.
In his address, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Ndiomu Ebiogeh Phillip urged stakeholders not only to make the plan aspirational but implementable, practical as well as impactful. He disclosed that the goal of the strategic plan is to reposition the FCSC as a forward-thinking, people-centered, and performance-driven institution, one that is fully equipped to meet the challenges of today and anticipate the needs of tomorrow.
In his short remark, Director General of Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Dr. Dasuki Ibrahim Arabi advised the FCSC leadership to make sure that every staff member in the Commission understands the need to contribute and key into the strategic plan, saying that in this way, everybody will have a sense of ownership of the strategic plan.
The event was divided into group sessions led by the lead Consultant, Dr. Otive Igbuzor, and fellow Consultant, Dr. Bert Odiaka; with another Consultant, Prof. Dele Olowu, presented a virtual overview of the strategic planning validation from Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Participants at the validation event cut across current and retired permanent secretaries, civil society organisations (CSOs), law enforcement agencies, officials from Ministry of Finance and also, Budget, and organized private sectors among others.
Signed.
Taiwo Hassan
Head (Press & Public Relations).
17th September, 2025.
