Over 4,000 Federal Civil Servants are converging in designated centers across the six geopolitical zones of the country to be screened for this year’s promotion exams.
Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office (CMO), Fatima Mahmood disclosed this on Monday while monitoring the accreditation exercise in Abuja.
Mahmood informed that the promotion exercise was for eligible candidates on salary grade levels 06-13 under the common pool of the office of the Head of Civil Service Commission.
She explained that the government was committed to supporting the welfare of civil servants by providing opportunities for professional development and ensuring that promotions were accompanied by corresponding salary increases.
According to her, the government recognize that motivated and skilled employees were essential to delivering high-quality public services. Therefore, “the head of civil service is passionate about uplifting the welfare of public servants and has made staff welfare a top priority.
“By prioritizing staff welfare, the government aims to create a positive and supportive work environment that encourages employees to excel”, she said.
The Permanent Secretary informed that plans were underway to migrate the promotional examination to Computer Based:
“The transition to Computer-based Tests has been a long-standing goal. While some areas have successfully implemented this change, others are still in the process. The main challenge has been ensuring that the necessary infrastructure is in place to support this transition”, she said.
She however explained that it would be a gradual process because of the inequalities in accessing digital services:
“In terms of digital literacy, it’s essential to address this issue to avoid exacerbating existing inequalities. The government is taking steps to improve digital literacy, particularly among civil servants. This includes providing training programs and resources to help employees develop the necessary skills.
“The move towards e-governance is already underway, with various ministries and agencies working to implement this change. However, it’s crucial to approach this transition gradually to avoid disrupting existing systems. This requires careful planning, coordination, and communication among all stakeholders.
“The ultimate goal is to create a fully digital economy, where services can be accessed easily and efficiently. This will require continued investment in digital infrastructure and a commitment to upskilling the workforce. By achieving this goal, the government aims to improve the overall quality of life for citizens and enhance the country’s competitiveness in the global economy”, Mahmood explained.
The fourteen (14) cadres writing the 2024 promotion examination include Administrative Officers, Executive Officers, Confidential Secretary, Planning Officers, Stock Verifiers, Stores Officers.
Others are Programme/System Analyst, Computer Engineers, Data Processing Officers, Librarians, Library Officers, Statisticians, Statistical Officers and Procurement Officers.
