The federal government has granted automatic promotion to six civil servants who were abducted while travelling to sit for their promotion examinations in 2025.
The affected officers, all from the ministry of defence, were kidnapped in Kogi state while en route from Lagos to Abuja for the exercise.
Tunji Olaopa, chairman other Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), announced the development on Saturday in Abuja.
Olaopa described the incident as regrettable and the decision as a compassionate response to the trauma experienced by the victims.
He said the commission, in consultation with the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and other stakeholders, approved the promotion to their next grade level as education officers.
āThe commission, in giving due consideration to the trauma that the victims of the kidnapping went through, hereby, on compassionate grounds grant automatic promotion to the six candidates to their next grade level,ā Olaopa said.
He added that the commission commiserated with the affected officers on behalf of the federal civil service and acknowledged the emotional and psychological toll of the incident.
He described he new directors as āguinea pigsā in the transition from traditional pen-and-paper promotion exams to computer-based testing (CBT), a move the commission said recorded near 100% success.
Olaopa said the development has reinforced the need to reform the conduct of promotion examinations, particularly by reducing the risks associated with long-distance travel by candidates.
āThe CBT has enhanced transparency, reduced cost, manpower, and time, while improving reliability, accuracy, and timely processing of results. These officers helped us test the new system and set a strong foundation for future promotion exercises,ā he said.
Olaopa also noted that the commission is committed to using technology to decentralise examinations, allowing civil servants to take promotion tests closer to their duty stations to prevent long-distance travel risks.
He further discussed systemic weaknesses in the civil service, including declining professional skills, workforce planning gaps, and effects of long recruitment embargoes, which have contributed to imbalances in manpower and promotion stagnation.
Olaopa said ongoing human resource audits and reforms in performance evaluation aim to address these issues and strengthen institutional capacity.
He urged newly promoted directors to embrace reform and professionalism, noting the need for a renewed commitment to public service values and national development.
WARNING: If You Are Not 18+, Don’t Click The Link Below šš«£Ā
https://emitprocured.com/u36k6hvh?key=9d5a995551042f49ca200d04746b52ad
Did you want to monetize your website, join MONETAG or ADSKEEPER and start earningĀ
Please donāt forget to āAllow the notificationā so you will be the first to get our gist when we publish it.
Drop your comment in the section below, and donāt forget to share the post.
Never Miss A Single News Or Gist, Kindly Join Us On WhatsApp Channel:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vad8g81Eawdsio6INn3B
Telegram Channel:
https://t.me/gistsmateNG
