FCT retires civil servants over age falsification, introduces CBT for promotions

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration has retired several civil servants found guilty of falsifying their ages.

The action comes as 915 senior staff, mostly at directorate level, prepare to take part in the territory’s first-ever computer-based promotion examination.

The initiative is part of efforts to build a merit-driven and technology-based promotion system in the FCT civil service.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja, Emeka Eze, chairman of the FCT Civil Service Commission, said the ongoing verification exercise to determine the actual size of the workforce had already exposed multiple cases of falsified age records, resulting in the compulsory retirement of those involved.

He said the 915 staff cleared for the computer-based test were drawn from the Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB), Secondary Education Board (SEB), the Education Secretariat, and other departments and agencies.

According to Eze, the new process is designed to ensure that only competent officers are promoted to substantive director positions and equipped to tackle modern, technology-driven challenges.

He added that Nyesom Wike, FCT minister, with President Bola Tinubu’s approval, established the commission to clear years of promotion backlogs and restore efficiency in the system.

“When the FCT minister came on board, there was a backlog of outstanding promotions. By 2023, he had cleared all dating back to 2019, up to the level of deputy directors,” Eze said.

“As part of the Renewed Hope agenda, we introduced technology to avoid interference and pressures. We are the first commission in Nigeria to introduce CBT tests. Results will be ready within a week, eliminating room for undue influence.”

Martins Azubuike, the South-East representative on the commission, said the test is now a permanent part of the system.

He warned that those who fail will have no one to blame for remaining in their positions, stressing that the process will encourage staff to update their digital skills.

“If you can’t operate the computer, you can’t answer your questions — and the system will grade you,” he said.