Kaduna State to Conduct Massive Promotion Exams for Civil Servants

In a bid to reward the diligent efforts and dedication of public servants, the Kaduna State Civil Service Commission has announced that no fewer than 3,391 civil servants will sit for promotion examinations on Tuesday. According to Chairman Sule Allahbamulafiya, the simultaneous conduct of the 2023 and 2024 promotion exercises aims to enhance the morale and motivation of public servants.

The examination is designed to clear the backlog of outstanding promotions in the core civil service, involving 3,391 officers. Allahbamulafiya emphasized that the commission considers merit in recruitment and promotion, while also taking into account representation from the 23 local government areas of the state, gender, and persons with disabilities.

The commission has introduced an aptitude test for applicants wishing to join the state civil service, as well as the recruitment of personnel to fill vacant and newly created offices. Additionally, the commission has revoked delegated powers to some MDAs and returned them to the commission to curb abuse.

Allahbamulafiya also revealed that the commission has engaged consultants for the conduct of the examinations, which will now be computer-based (CBT). However, the examination has been deferred to 2025 due to time constraints.

The commission has also introduced a 50 per cent pass mark in the examinations before qualifying for an oral promotion interview. Furthermore, the overall pass marks in promotion, both written and oral, have been reviewed from 60 per cent to 70 per cent for directorate-level officers.

The chairman also stated that the commission will promptly consider and dispose of disciplinary cases, allotting a maximum of eight weeks for dispensing disciplinary cases. The commission has also adopted the Employee Performance Management System (EPMS) to replace the Annual Performance Evaluation Report (APER), ensuring that promotions are based on merit rather than routine.

Speaking on lingering disciplinary cases involving officers accused of gross misconduct, Allahbamulafiya revealed that nine officers were dismissed, two were compulsorily retired, five were demoted, and 10 were seriously warned.

The chairman reiterated the commission’s commitment to ensuring effective civil service in the state, aligning with the ‘SUSTAIN AGENDA’ of the state government. This effort is a continuation of the state’s efforts to revamp its civil service, which dates back to November 2017 when the Kaduna State Executive Council approved the outcome of the primary four teachers’ competency test and directed an immediate process for recruiting 25,000 teachers to replace those who failed the examination.