News
305 Directors Fail FG’s Exams In Four Years, Say Reports
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No fewer than 305 directors have failed the written examination for appointment into the offices of permanent secretaries of the Federal Civil Service in the last four years, The PUNCH investigation has shown.
Recall that no fewer than civil servants who sat the 2022 FCS Promotion examinations failed, according to a list issued by the FCS Commission on November 30, 2023.
No fewer than 13,000 civil servants sat the 2022 examination, which was held in about 69 Computer Based Test centres across the country, while the candidates were drawn from the core civil service, the Nigeria Police, and other para-military and specialised agencies.
The letter, tagged FC.6241/S.35/Vol.xi/ T12/268, was signed by the Director of Promotions, Sani Bello, and addressed to the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.
A list attached to the letter noted that only 3,851 civil servants out of the over 13,000 civil servants who sat the promotion examination passed.
In the list, it was stated that 139 officers were promoted from the post of Assistant Chief Administrative Officer to Chief Administrative Officer.
A total of 191 were also promoted to the post of Assistant Chief Administrative Officer from the role of Principal Administrative Officer, just as a total of 313 civil servants were promoted from the role of Senior Administrative Officer to Principal Administrative Officer, while a total of 191 were promoted to Senior Administrative Officer from the role of Administrative Officer 1 among others.
However, an investigation by Saturday PUNCH showed that no fewer than 305 directors out of 664 have so far failed the qualifying examinations of the FCS between 2020 and 2024.
In September 2020, no fewer than nine directors in the FCS failed the first stage of a re-sit promotional exam as only 14 were shortlisted for a second round of the test out of the 23 directors who took the exam.
Similarly, in June 2021, another 21 directors on Salary Grade Level 17 in the FCS, who sat a written exam as part of the process of appointing them as permanent secretaries, also failed the examination.
The 21 directors were among 46 senior officers, who took the examination in Abuja on Monday, May 31, 2021.
The remaining 25 of them, who passed the examination, made it to the next stage, which was the Information Communication Technology proficiency test which was held on Thursday, June 3, 2021.
However, in February 2022, another 37 directors failed the FCS qualifying examination organised to fill vacant positions of permanent secretaries declared by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.
A total of 74 directors had sat for the examination, but only 37 of them scored 50 per cent and above while the other 37 scored below 50 per cent, which amounted to failure.
A circular obtained from the OHCSF with reference number HCSF/PS/CMO/154/I/70 and signed by Olusola Idowu on behalf of the Examination Committee explained that the 37 directors, who passed the examination, would sit an ICT proficiency test in Abuja few days later.
However in August of that same year, another 137 persons out of the 344 civil servants on the directorate cadre jostling to be appointed as principals of the nation’s 110 unity schools across the country failed the examination organised by the Federal Ministry of Education.
The PUNCH gathered that the 207 directors, who passed the computer-based competency test, were scheduled for oral interviews after the examination.
In a similar vein, no fewer than 61 directors failed the written examination for the appointment of new permanent secretaries in the FCS, which was held on Monday, November 6, 2023.
A total of 85 directors were initially shortlisted for the examination out of which four were absent while only 20 directors passed the exam and were invited to the next stage which was the ICT proficiency stage.
According to a memo dated November 7, 2023, obtained from the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation which was dated, the 61 directors who failed the examination scored below 50 per cent, which disqualified them from the race.
More so, another 40 directors recently failed the qualifying examination for appointment to the position of permanent secretary.
A total of 92 directors were listed to sit the examination, which took place on May 27, 2024.
While 40 directors scored below 50 per cent, which indicated failure, according to the result of the examination obtained by our correspondent in Abuja, three were absent while one director could not complete the exam.
A May 28, 2024 memo by the Office of the Head of Service tagged, “HCSF/ CMO/ AOD/012/IX/59’ noted that the next test would be an ICT-based test.
PUNCH
The Situation Room on Transparency and Accountability, has urged President Bola Tinubu, to probe the US$1.5 billion budgeted for repair of the Port Harcourt refinery.
Convener of the group, Michael Omoba, in a statement yesterday, also demanded forensic audit of the financial transactions of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), at least in the last five years.
Omoba, in addition, requested a publication of the list of beneficiaries involved in the 80 million barrels allegedly given to non-state actors.
He said: “We, The Situation Room On Transparency And Accountability, therefore make a demand for a comprehensive audit and prosecution as follows:
“A forensic audit of all NNPCL financial transactions carried out in the last five years; open publication of the list of beneficiaries involved in the 80 million barrels allegedly given to non-state actors, a breakdown with the full report on how $1.5 billion was spent on the Port Harcourt refinery; a legislative oversight hearing to make sure that the National Assembly maintains the highest transparency requirements for the newly appointed NNPCL board.”
He said further: “This call isn’t one that is driven by vendetta or vengeance. Rather, it is burning patriotic desire to see Nigeria become a developed and prosperous nation that makes good use of its natural resources through committed, transparent and accountable leaders.
“The NNPCL as custodian of our common patrimony must never be left to continue operating like an individual property which is impervious to public scrutiny.
“The time for silence is over. We are tired of watching our commonwealth being pillaged by a select few. President Tinubu’s administration has truly shown a commitment to reforming Nigeria into greatness, and we stand firmly in support of his vision and agenda.
“Nonetheless, a reform without accountability is merely cosmetic. The new helmsman, Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari, must be forewarned: the era of impunity is over. Nigerians will not tolerate another phase of misappropriation and concealment.”
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has expressed concern over the high poverty rate and food insecurity in Nigeria, despite the modest gains achieved by the Federal Government through various reforms implemented so far.
However, the IMF commended Nigeria for taking important steps to stabilise the economy, enhance resilience, and support growth.
The Fund warned that the country’s macroeconomic outlook remains highly uncertain, as elevated global risk sentiment and lower oil prices could impact the Nigerian economy.
The IMF made these observations following the completion of its 2025 Article IV Staff Mission to Nigeria.
A team from the IMF, led by Axel Schimmelpfennig, IMF Mission Chief for Nigeria, visited Lagos and Abuja from 2 to 15 April to hold discussions for the 2025 Article IV Consultations with Nigeria.
At the end of the visit, Mr Schimmelpfennig issued a statement saying, “The Nigerian authorities have taken important steps to stabilise the economy, enhance resilience, and support growth.
“The financing of the fiscal deficit by the central bank has ceased, costly fuel subsidies have been removed, and the functioning of the foreign exchange market has improved.
“However, these gains have yet to benefit all Nigerians, as poverty and food insecurity remain high.
“The outlook is marked by significant uncertainty. Elevated global risk sentiment and lower oil prices impact the Nigerian economy.
“The reforms implemented since 2023 have placed the Nigerian economy in a stronger position to navigate this external environment.”
Looking ahead, the IMF advised the Federal Government to adjust its macroeconomic policies to further strengthen buffers, reduce inflation, and enhance resilience, while creating enabling conditions for private sector-led growth.
“The authorities communicated to the mission that they will implement the 2025 budget in a manner that is responsive to the decline in international oil prices. A neutral fiscal stance would support monetary policy in bringing down inflation,” the IMF stated.
The IMF further advised that, to safeguard key spending priorities, fiscal savings from the removal of fuel subsidies should be channelled into the budget.
“In particular, adjustments should protect critical, growth-enhancing investments while accelerating and broadening the delivery of cash transfers under the World Bank-supported programme to provide relief to those experiencing food insecurity.
“A tight monetary policy stance is required to firmly guide inflation down. The Monetary Policy Committee’s data-dependent approach has served Nigeria well and will help navigate elevated macroeconomic uncertainty.
“Announcing a disinflation path to serve as an intermediate target can help anchor inflation expectations,” the IMF said.
The IMF team that visited Nigeria for consultations met with the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari; the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Yemi Cardoso; senior government and central bank officials; the Ministry of the Environment; the private sector; academia; labour unions; and civil society.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) on Saturday announced the extension of the suspension of Warri-Itakpe train services due to additional time needed to implement redundancies for sustainable operations.
According to a statement signed by the NRC acting Director, Public Relations, Callistus Unyimadu, the extended period will also be used to address other operational issues related to improved customer service, equipment safety practices, and procedures.
The NRC statement reads: “The general public will recall that the management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) temporarily suspended full rail services on the Warri Itakpe Train Services (WITS), on Thursday, 10th April, 2025, due to some technical and operational issues for safety, better customer service experience and improved operational efficiencies.
“The management of the Corporation, under the leadership of Dr. Kayode Opeifa wishes to further clarify that while the major technical issues has been resolved by our technical team, additional time is required to implement necessary redundancies that will support sustainable operations in line with best practices.
“This period will also be utilized to address other operational concerns, including improvements in customer services, equipment safety standards, and procedural upgrade.
“We appreciate the understanding and patience of our esteemed passengers and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
“Be assured that Warri-Itakpe Train Services will soon be back, bigger, stronger and better.”
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