FCTA STAFF VOLUNTEERS POWER CBT TRAINING FOR OVER 5,000 CIVIL SERVANTS

By: Prudence Okonna

A group of 19 volunteer staff of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) have trained over 5,000 civil servants across various grade levels on the use of Computer-Based Test (CBT) platforms.

Spearheaded by a Chief Education Officer and Head of Languages Department at Government Secondary School, Gwarimpa Estate, Jacinta Ewuzie, the initiative began in February 2025 in response to the FCT Civil Service Commission’s adoption of CBT for all promotion examinations.

In an interview during the conclusion of the first phase practical activity at the FCT ICT lab, Ewuzie revealed that she saw a gap and decided to bridge it.

Her words: “We realised many civil servants lacked the basic ICT skills needed for this format, so we decided to step in and bridge that gap. It started with just a few WhatsApp platforms, and now we’ve trained over 5,000 staff virtually and 468 physically. It’s been pure sacrifice and goodwill.”.

She explained that the initiative, which operates on the WhatsApp platform, is tailored across four different Grade levels category: GL 7–9, 10–12, 13–14, and 15–16; and offers simplified lessons on subjects such as public service rules, financial regulations, general studies, FCTA operations, and public service reforms.

Ewuzie added that with the recent release of a circular scheduling the long-awaited promotion examinations for August 12–13, 2025, the team saw the urgent need to supplement theory with practical, hands-on training.

She confirmed that with the support of the Director of ICT, Austin Ugafor, the team secured the FCTA ICT laboratory and began face-to-face CBT simulations on July 14.

“We’ve had two batches every day, focusing on Assistant Directors and Deputy Directors GL 15 and 16. The transformation is amazing,” Ewuzie noted.

The coordinator also revealed that despite the impressive scale and impact, the initiative remains largely unknown to higher authorities.

Ewuzie also revealed that one of the volunteers, a staff member of the FCT Fire Service, Gbenga Olabode, single-handedly developed the CBT simulation software in just 48 hours, providing a critical tool for the training.

One of the participants, GL 16 staff and Deputy Director at the Youth Development Secretariat, Mallam Lai Musa Mamman, admitted he had initial anxiety about the CBT format. “But after the hands-on training, I feel relieved and confident now. I know I can face the exam without fear,” he said.

In addition, the Vice Principal Admin at GSS Sabon Lugbe, Ogala Obiageli, said, “The training is so explicit. I now realise how much work I still have to do, and I’m grateful for the opportunity.”

Another participant, Amina Didago of the Tourism Department, gave a heartfelt testimony: “Many of us are still analogue in our thinking. We only know how to make calls. But this training has opened our eyes. It would have been a struggle without it.”

Meanwhile, the Director of, Information and Communication Technology Department (ICT) has confirmed that the Administration is also planning additional simulation training to ease remaining fears among staff.

Abuja Digest reports that, according to a circular dated June 26, 2025, all pending promotion exams for 2023 and 2024 will be conducted as CBTs, beginning with Deputy Directors on August 12–13.

A part of the circular reads thus: “Please note that the examination exercise shall be a Computer-Based Test (CBT) as earlier approved by the Honourable Minister”.