Examination organized under the Office of the Head of the Civil Service
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on Friday successfully conducted a promotion examination for junior-level workers under the supervision of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HoS).
The examination, held at Ade-Ola International School, Kubwa, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, was conducted using JAMB’s Computer-Based Test (CBT) system — a model the agency has pioneered for national examinations across Nigeria.
Speaking with journalists after the exercise, the Director in charge of JAMB’s Abuja Zone, Hajia Zainab Hamzat, confirmed that the exercise went smoothly and was well-coordinated, with hundreds of civil servants in attendance.
Over 450 candidates participated in the CBT promotion exam
Hamzat explained that a total of 450 junior staff under the Office of the Head of Service participated in the promotion examination, out of 476 candidates initially expected.
“Everything went well as usual. We call it the third-party examination — it is a promotion exam conducted on behalf of the Head of Service,” she said. “All their officers sat for the exam for the purpose of promotion.”
According to her, the examination was conducted in two sessions to ensure orderliness and compliance with JAMB’s testing protocols.
“In the morning session, we expected 250 candidates, but 232 were present,” she said. “In the afternoon, we expected 226 and only eight were absent. The exam was smooth, and everything went well.”
The Director noted that JAMB, in addition to its responsibility for organizing tertiary entrance examinations, also conducts similar third-party tests for public and private organizations seeking transparent and merit-based assessments.
Exam featured participants from various agencies under the HoS
Hamzat further revealed that the participants included workers from several departments and agencies under the Office of the Head of Service. These included staff from immigration services, the Federal Fire Service, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other paramilitary and administrative agencies.
She emphasized that the goal of the examination was to promote accountability and ensure that promotions within the civil service are based on merit and demonstrated competence.
“This is a fair and credible process,” she said. “Using the CBT system eliminates favoritism and ensures that everyone is evaluated purely based on performance.”
JAMB praised for professionalism and efficiency
Also speaking during the exercise, the Director of Ade-Ola International School, Mrs. Mercy Olaosegbe, commended JAMB for its professionalism, consistency, and commitment to maintaining high standards in all its examinations.
“The examination went very well,” Olaosegbe said. “We have all the facilities required to conduct this kind of examination. JAMB ensures that only accredited centres with functional equipment and reliable internet connections are allowed to host such exercises.”
She added that her school has been working with JAMB for several years as an approved examination centre and continues to uphold the board’s operational standards.
“JAMB will not allow you to participate in these exams if your facilities are not up to standard,” she noted. “Because our centre is doing well, we have consistently participated in third-party examinations organized by JAMB.”
Promoting transparency through technology
The collaboration between JAMB and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service highlights the growing reliance on technology-driven assessment systems in Nigeria’s public sector. The CBT model, first introduced by JAMB for its Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in 2015, has since been adopted by several agencies for recruitment and promotion tests.
By leveraging this digital platform, JAMB has been able to enhance the credibility, security, and efficiency of examinations nationwide. The board’s testing system is designed to prevent exam malpractice and ensure that results are instantly processed and verifiable.
Education and human resource experts have praised the board’s role in promoting merit-based evaluation in both the education sector and the civil service. Many have argued that the adoption of CBT technology represents a significant step toward modernizing Nigeria’s examination and employment processes.
Ensuring merit-based promotion in the civil service
The promotion exercise conducted for junior staff under the Head of Service is part of ongoing efforts by the federal government to strengthen the capacity, discipline, and integrity of the civil service.
Under the reform agenda of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, workers are now required to meet clear performance benchmarks and pass standardized tests before advancing to higher positions.
Officials say the use of independent testing agencies like JAMB ensures fairness and eliminates political or personal influence in staff promotions.
By the end of the exercise, all 450 participating officers had completed the CBT sessions without technical hitches, marking another successful collaboration between JAMB and the federal civil service system.
JAMB continues to expand third-party testing services
Beyond tertiary admissions, JAMB has expanded its mandate to include various third-party testing services for government agencies, private companies, and international organizations. These include promotion exams, recruitment assessments, and professional certification tests.
Through its vast network of accredited CBT centres across the country, the board continues to set the benchmark for secure, transparent, and efficient examination administration in Nigeria.
With the successful conduct of the latest civil service promotion exam, JAMB once again reaffirmed its reputation as a trusted institution for delivering reliable assessment services at all levels.
