JAMB Conducts CBT Exams for 6,000 Civil Servants

Civil Servants: The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) held a computer-based promotional exam for 6,000 directorate cadre staff under the Federal Civil Service Commission on Thursday.

For candidates in the Federal Capital Territory, the exam took place at the JAMB Computer-Based Test Centre in Kogo, located in the Bwari Area Council.

JAMB Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede told reporters that the examination was also available to candidates in the UK, USA, India, and Egypt.

He said, “This initiative is a big step by the Federal Civil Service Commission, and I am not surprised given its visionary leadership.

“I also believe that we shouldn’t wait for challenges to confront us. The anxiety on people’s faces as they arrived suggested they felt unsure about using the computer, but we have set up a system that offers alternative options.

“If you know how to use your cell phone, you will complete our examination because it simply involves A, B, and C, and there’s no need to use the mouse.

“This exam is not only taking place in Nigeria but also in four other countries: the UK, the US, India, and Egypt, where we have sent our personnel.

“I am sure that the efforts of the Federal Civil Service Commission will help ease worries about computer use. When I entered the hall, I noticed some initial nervousness, but after reading the instructions, many candidates were smiling.

“We should not shy away from new things; instead, we should face them. I would like to again praise the Federal Civil Service Commission leadership for making this bold move.”

Dr Hussaini Adamu, the Commissioner representing the FCT and Niger State on the FCSC, expressed satisfaction with the candidates’ performance. He noted that the assessment started the day before with around 1,500 participants in three sessions.

He commented, “My evaluation is that the exercise has been great. It reflects JAMB’s extensive experience; they have successfully conducted tests for many years.

“While candidates were initially nervous, once the process began, they felt pleased and preferred this digital method to the traditional pen-and-paper system.

“It is a transparent process. The examination halls have CCTV cameras that monitor activities from a distance. The systems are working well, and the environment is comfortable with good air conditioning.

Upon arrival, there is a secure waiting area before they enter the examination hall. This has been an impressive exercise, and the results from yesterday’s sessions and today’s first batch have been positive.

“I commend JAMB for managing the process with such professionalism and honesty. I don’t have the exact numbers now, but I can say that thousands of candidates are involved. Even in this venue, we have over 500 seats and have already completed three batches yesterday—about 1,500 participants—and we’ll conduct three more batches today.

“As I mentioned yesterday, I know there are around 10 centres, with only two located here in the FCT. Following yesterday’s exercise, we held a meeting as a commission to review the process, and the feedback was very positive.”

The Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Prof. Adetunji Olaopa, mentioned that this was the first time the commission used a CBT format for promotion examinations. He called the event a major milestone.

He stated, “It may seem like a small step, but it is very important for us in many ways. We know that computer-based tests are already well established, but for the Federal Civil Service Commission, this marks our first effort in this direction.

“We were confident in our approach because we worked with a partner like JAMB, which has decades of experience. While many suggested we should be cautious, we trusted Professor Ishaq Oloyede and JAMB—a national organisation led by a person of high integrity. We were certain we could move ahead and succeed.

“At this point, I can say that not only have we met our goals, but we have surpassed them. There were initial concerns about conducting CBT across the entire country for convenience. Yes, we acknowledge this concern, but when implementing a new system, it is wise to start small and build from that success.

“Expanding to all states will require significant resources—technology, logistics, and oversight—but based on what we have achieved here, it won’t take long to make it more convenient and accessible for all candidates, no matter where they are. Over 6,000 officers in the directorate cadre took part in this effort.”

Earlier this year, the FCSC announced its plan to implement computer-based testing for promotional exams for directorate-level officers as part of ongoing reforms aimed at modernising the civil service assessment system in Nigeria.

As Olaopa mentioned, this initiative aims to promote transparency, accountability, and efficiency within the civil service.

The FCSC also noted that the decision to adopt CBT was driven by the desire to use technology to improve service delivery, ensure credibility, and reduce malpractice, in line with the federal government’s broader goals to modernise public service, build public trust, and enhance operational efficiency.