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
…says his second edition should reflect more realities by mentioning names
By Emmanuel Agaji
The Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has said he is grateful to God that former President Ibrahim Babangida’s book has corrected the wrong impression of an Igbo coup in 1966.
Naijablitznews reports Senator Kalu made this assertion while addressing the press before entering the Senate Chamber on Tuesday morning.
He explained that:” I am happy that the wrong impression created that the 1966 coup an Igbo coup has been corrected that it was a Nigerian coup gladdens my heart.
“Though we the Igbos were made to bear the brunt but thank God the impression has been erased finally.
The former Senate Chief Whip however appealed to his master (IBB) to quickly come out with a second edition as this first edition did not capture some realities.
“In the second edition he should vividly mention names like Professor Humphrey Nwosu and other people who played prominent roles on June 12 issue.
“You know IBB is my master, I will soon go and visit him and formally inform him.
Watch video below:
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Mr Nuhu Ribadu has countered former governor of Kaduna state, Mr Nasr El-Rufai over his unsavoury comments declaring that he would help his principal, Bola Tinubu succeed.
He said in a statement that he has not discussed contesting in 2031 with anyone.
PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr El-Rufai on Monday accused Mr Ribadu of being behind his ordeal with anti-graft agencies. He alleged that Mr Ribadu was doing so because he is interested in succeeding President Bola Tinubu in 2031.
In his response, Mr Ribadu said in a statement that he has not discussed contesting in 2031 with anyone.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I want to put it on record that I have never discussed running for president in 2031 with anybody. All my focus and energy are geared completely towards the advancement of Nigeria and the success of the President Tinubu administration,” he said.
Messrs Ribadu and El-Rufai were friends and allies during the Obasanjo administration and that of the late Umar Yar’Adua. However, both men have become political adversaries although they are both members of the ruling party, APC.
In his statement, Mr Ribadu alluded to their history.
“If my silence wouldn’t risk being construed as consent, I would have ignored him. I am too preoccupied with my current assignment as to get into a media fight with Nasir El-Rufai or anyone else.
“Despite the incessant baiting and attacks I have never spoken ill of Nasir on record anywhere. This is out of respect for our past association and our respective families. I will not start today.”
Read the full statement below
I WON’T JOIN ISSUES WITH NASIR EL-RUFAI
My attention has been drawn to the interview granted by Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, the immediate past governor of Kaduna State Monday evening.
If my silence wouldn’t risk being construed as consent, I would have ignored him. I am too preoccupied with my current assignment as to get into a media fight with Nasir El-Rufai or anyone else.
Despite the incessant baiting and attacks I have never spoken ill of Nasir on record anywhere. This is out of respect for our past association and our respective families. I will not start today.
I however urge the public to disregard El-rufai’s statements against me.
For the avoidance of doubt, I want to put it on record that I have never discussed running for president in 2031 with anybody. All my focus and energy are geared completely towards the advancement of Nigeria and the success of the President Tinubu administration.
I therefore ask Nasir El-Rufai to allow me face my onerous national assignment just as I do not bother myself with his own affairs.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Angry Omoyele Sowore, The Publisher of Sahara Reporters and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, on Monday clashed with security operatives who wanted to stop him from entering the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The security cordon of the court gate by operatives drawn from Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), was emplaced because of the trial of the former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello.
Bello is charged with money laundering and misappropriation of public funds.
In a video posted on his X account on Monday, Sowore, singlehanded, dared the security operatives, questioning their authority to prevent his entry.
“Why are you shouting at me? Do I look like Yahaya Bello?” he asked.
“I have business in court. I don’t need to be cleared by either the police or EFCC because none of you is an officer of the court.
“This is a Federal High Court; bring court officials, and I will talk to them. EFCC brought me to court, and they are still harassing us.”
“You have no right to stand in front of the high court. You are not my lawyer and have no right to know my case,” he stated in response to a request by one of the security operatives to know the particulars of his case.
Overwhelmed by Sowore’s readiness to make big trouble and possibly expose the errors by the security operatives, one of the senior officers eventually directed that Sowore be allowed to enter.
Condemning the incident, Sowore wrote, “The justice system in Nigeria has been hijacked by uniformed, uncouth security agents ranging from @OfficialDSSNG, @PoliceNG, and @CivilDefenceNGR. Today, they mounted illegally in front of the court, harassing everybody because of a thief, Yahaya Bello @officialgybkogi. The same Yahaya Bello they couldn’t apprehend for months; even lawyers were harassed, and the @NigBarAssoc should stop this nonsense.”
In January 2025, Sowore was arrested and charged with 17 counts under the Cybercrime Act for referring to Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun as an “illegal IGP” on his social media platforms.
In the charges, it was alleged that Sowore’s statements were intended to cause a breakdown of law and order.
Sowore’s arrest sparked criticisms from various human rights organizations, which viewed the charges as an attempt to suppress voice of dissent and freedom of expression.
IBB’s Book: “I thank God the Igbo coup wrong impression has been buried -Senator Kalu(Video)
2031: Ribadu replies El-Rufai, says he’s focused on helping Tinubu’s govt succeed
Angry Sowore slams security operatives at Abuja court gate who tried to block him
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