ABUJA, Nigeria – The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has conducted computer-based promotion examinations for about 6,000 Directorate-level federal civil servants, marking a milestone in Nigeria’s transition to digital governance.
The assessments took place on Thursday at JAMB’s Bwari centre in Abuja and simultaneously in four countries — the United Kingdom, United States, India and Egypt.
JAMB Registrar, Prof Ishaq Oloyede commended the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) for adopting technology-driven testing. “Once you know how to use a phone, you can write our exam successfully; it’s as simple as A, B, C,” he said.
FCSC Chairman Prof Adetunji Olaopa described the exercise as the commission’s first fully computer-based promotion exam and praised JAMB’s credibility and technical support. Commissioner Dr Hussaini Adamu added that although participants were initially anxious, “they later preferred this process to the old pen-and-paper system.”
Each centre was equipped with CCTV cameras and air conditioning to ensure transparency and comfort. Olaopa noted that the successful implementation in the FCT will guide the roll-out of future digital promotion exams nationwide.
Analysts say the move signals a broader reform toward efficiency and merit-based advancement in the civil service. It also demonstrates Nigeria’s increasing confidence in digital testing as a tool for transparency and accountability in public administration.
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