From Okwe Obi, Abuja
To promote transparency and competence, the Federal Government has announced the introduction of electronic-based test for the promotion of civil servants.
The government also announced the installation of online recruitment portal that would be accessible to Nigerians, especially eligible candidates to pre-fill recruitment form.
Chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission, Prof. Tunji Olaopa announced re-modelling of the system during the FCSC’s monthly seminar in Abuja.
Olaopa said: “The commission is transiting through the upcoming 2024 promotion exercise from analogue-rooted practices to computer-based tests and the modernisation and digitisation of its core operations.
“The commission is therefore introducing the installation of online recruitment portal that is accessible to all Nigerians, and which enables eligible candidates to pre-fill recruitment form and update same from time to time ahead of advertisement for recruitment into the federal service.
“Eligible candidates will, in addition, henceforth undergo computer-based tests and oral interviews with results collated and released real-time.
“FCSC is, in the meantime, entering into an outsourcing contract with the National Open University of Nigeria and Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) as technical partners with a view to taking advantage of their infrastructure, networks and experience to enable online accreditation, CBT examinations and promotion interview for officers in the Federal Service starting with the directorate-level officers.
“We are, however, hopeful that in so far as all the efforts are channelled to strengthen the professionalism of the federal bureaucracy to enhance the potentials of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President to game-change Nigeria’s national transformation journey, thereby relieving the burdens and pains that the irreducible policies of the Federal Government may have created, then we are sure that we will not lack the oxygen required to keep the implementation of the reform programmes on course.”
He wondered why the civil service had remained mundane in the areas of infrastructure and manpower.
According to him, the current leadership of FCSC, would reform the system to be at par with global best practice.
“Why is it that in spite of the many spirited institutional reforms of the civil service since 1999, the federal bureaucracy seems to be declining in some vital indicators and parameters?
“And what has the FCSC failed to do as the gatekeeper of the federal civil service to safeguard its professional integrity through upgraded systems of recruitment and staff promotion practices?
“Indeed, how did the Commission become an abandoned space with dilapidated infrastructures, operating with such outdated work methods, analogues processes and uninspiring work environment, one which pool officers regard as a kind of Siberia that is punishment posting to anyone that ever find him or herself there?
“The profession of public administration in Nigeria is also at a juncture that demands a measure of our introspection as professional bureaucrats that takes us back to first principle and to such basic question as: who a civil servant is and should be; what qualities he or she should possess.
“We need answers to these questions as basis for reprofiling who and who should be admitted to become civil servant, all within framework of reform to build a new generation of public managers in Nigeria.
“The present Commission is however sold out to the mission to restore FCSC as a professional hub and centre of excellence solution house for HR practice in the Federal service.
“The starting point of that transformation journey is for the Commission to get back its originating mandate as the promoter and protector of the merit system in the civil service. And at that, by hinging the implementation of the federal character policy on meritocracy,” he added.
Also, Director, Examinations and Assessment, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Olugbenga Ojo said the initiative would add fillip to the civil service reform.
Ojo said: “We have been here before to showcase what we can offer by showcasing our devices. It is to compliment the efforts of the commission. We have told them the advantages of the CBT and what they need to give us for us to function effectively.”