IMPROVED DIGITAL SKILLS DRIVE SUCCESS OF FCTA CBT EXERCISE – EZE
By: Wisdom Acka
Chairman of the FCT Civil Service Commission, Engr. Emeka Eze, has attributed the success of the recent Computer-Based Test (CBT) conducted for Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) civil servants to the growing digital competence of younger staff.
Speaking after supervising the exercise held on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at the National Open University Dutse-Alhaji Study Centre, Abuja, Eze described the examination as “99 per cent successful.” Over 2,200 civil servants participated in the test, which was organized for officers seeking confirmation, promotion, and advancement.
According to the Chairman, the exercise marked a significant improvement over the first CBT promotion examination held on August 12, 2025 at the same venue, which recorded several challenges including technical issues and low digital literacy among candidates.
Eze explained that most of the participants in the latest exercise were younger entry-level staff seeking confirmation in service, noting that their familiarity with digital tools made the process smoother.
“We are dealing with a generation that is already exposed to technology. Their challenge was not how to operate the system but how to answer the questions correctly and manage the time provided.” he said.
He noted that the Commission also addressed logistical challenges experienced during the previous examination. To prevent power interruptions, the CBT was powered by backup generators throughout the exercise.
Despite the largely successful outing, the Chairman expressed concern over complaints from some staff whose names were missing from the examination list. He emphasized that adequate notice had been given through official circulars and coordination with the Office of the Head of Service.
“We do not generate names on the examination day,” Eze said, urging civil servants to comply with submission deadlines and official procedures.
He also commended the National Union of Teachers (NUT) for voluntarily supporting the Commission during the exercise, particularly in maintaining order and assisting with crowd control.
Looking ahead, the Chairman stressed the need to deepen digital literacy within the FCTA civil service. He revealed that discussions were ongoing on the possibility of mandating computer-based internal communication.
“This is not just about providing computers. There must be deliberate use of computer applications so that staff become proficient. It is a conversation we need to begin.” He said.
Eze expressed confidence that the CBT process would continue to improve with each exercise, noting that further refinements are expected ahead of the promotion examinations scheduled for April.
