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FCSC Conducts Promotion Exam for 5,792 Civil Servants
A total of 5,792 civil servants participated in the Federal Civil Service Commission’s (FCSC) 2026 Directorate Cadre Promotion Examination held across the country on Monday.
FCSC Chairman, Prof. Tunji Olaopa, disclosed this on Monday while inspecting examination centres in Abuja, saying about 5,900 candidates were expected to participate in the exercise.
The examination was conducted through computer-based testing (CBT) and decentralised across the six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory to make participation easier for eligible civil servants.
Olaopa said 2,169 candidates sat for the examination in the FCT, while other candidates took the test at centres in Abeokuta, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Kaduna, Gombe and Lafia.
“From what we have seen and observed today, it is clear that computer-based tests has come to stay. I can tell that it’s far, far easier to handle than in the past,” he said.
About 97 per cent of candidates reportedly arrived at their centres on time, although some centres experienced internet connectivity challenges. The commission deployed alternative identification codes to prevent candidates from facing prolonged delays.
The FCSC also made arrangements for candidates with visual and physical challenges, including some who had not indicated their special needs before the examination.
Olaopa said the commission would continue to improve the CBT system, particularly network connectivity, logistics and access to examination centres.
He also said the experience had strengthened the case for basic digital skills among civil servants, with the commission considering an IT certification requirement for future promotion examinations.
“The policy that the government is working towards, and which we in the commission are planning to introduce, maybe from 2027 possibly, is some bit of IT licence as a pre-qualification,” Olaopa said.
The 2026 Directorate Cadre Promotion Examination is scheduled to run from September 21 to 23, with the FCSC expected to review the exercise and use the outcome to improve future promotion examinations.
