FG: Civil Servants Risk Sack Over Repeated Failure of Mandatory Promotion Exams

By Victor Idajili

Junior civil servants who fail the mandatory promotion examination three times in a row will be dismissed from service, the Federal Government has said.  

The policy is contained in a circular from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, signed by Dr. Binyerem Ukaira, Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, on behalf of Head of Service Didi Walson-Jack.  

According to the directive, passing the confirmation or promotion examination will now determine not just career progression but also continued employment. Officers who fail the exam three times consecutively will be asked to exit the service.  

The circular also states that workers who fail to sit for the confirmation exam within three years of appointment will be removed from service.  

The government said the measure is part of efforts to enforce discipline, efficiency, and productivity in the public service, and is backed by existing Public Service Rules. All ministries, departments, and agencies have been directed to ensure strict compliance.  

The 2026 Confirmation and Promotion Examination (COMPRO) will be computer-based and cover officers on salary Grade Levels 01 to 06. The exam is designed to assess competence, knowledge, and readiness for confirmation or promotion.  

Registration is ongoing online through respective MDAs. Only officers who have served for at least six months and are duly nominated will be eligible. Applicants must provide accurate personal details and complete all procedures, as failure to meet accreditation requirements will lead to disqualification.  

Subjects to be tested include English Language, Public Service Rules, Financial Regulations, General Paper, and Computer Literacy.  

While the COMPRO test has been part of Nigeria’s civil service framework for years, enforcement of its provisions has historically been inconsistent.