The Federal Government administered the second phase of the computer-based Confirmatory Promotional Examination (COMPRO II) for junior cadre officers in the public service nationwide yesterday.
Overseen by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the examination included 9,618 candidates from paramilitary organizations and junior officers from core Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
After visiting the examination centers in Abuja, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, the Permanent Secretary of the Career Management Office in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF), commended JAMB for the well-organized conduct of the exams.
This marked the first instance of a Computer-Based Test (CBT) being used for junior COMPRO candidates, and Ogunbiyi praised their conduct, expecting further improvements in the future.
Ogunbiyi stated, “The COMPRO is designed to test public officers’ knowledge of the public service and assess their potential to handle assignments as public servants. What we are doing now by going digital is part of reforms.”
Improvements and high satisfaction in digitization
He also identified areas of improvement, including the accreditation of officers, which will be addressed before the next round of the exercise.
The Federal Government’s initiative aims to digitize and reform the public service, assessing public officers’ knowledge and potential to handle their assignments effectively.
Ateboh Ademu, the Director of Learning and Development in the office of the HOCSF, expressed satisfaction with the candidates’ performance, stating that it exceeded expectations.
He assured that the system would not compromise standards, and measures were in place to address observed challenges.
Ademu remarked, “As the Director of Learning and Development, the assessment so far, as we have witnessed by all indications, is excellent and even beyond expectations.”
Mrs. Blessing Garuba, a candidate from the Nigeria Immigration Service, praised the innovation of computer-based examinations for public servants in Nigeria.
She mentioned that it had expanded her skills in using computers, eliminating her initial apprehension.
In 2022, the Federal Government introduced computer-based examinations for senior cadre officers across all MDAs, aiming to enhance the public service to global standards.
