Junior civil servants in Nigeria’s federal public service risk losing their jobs if they fail the compulsory confirmation and promotion examination three consecutive times, following a new directive by the Federal Government aimed at strengthening discipline and performance.
The directive was contained in a circular issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and signed by the Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Binyerem C. Ukaira, on behalf of the Head of Service.
According to the circular, the confirmation and promotion examination is not only a requirement for career advancement but also a condition for continued service.
“An officer who fails the examination after three consecutive attempts shall, by virtue of such failures, be required to resign or withdraw from the service,” the circular stated.
The policy also introduced a strict participation timeline, warning that officers who fail to sit for the examination within three years of their first appointment would be required to exit the service.
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“An officer who fails to take the confirmation examination after three years of his or her first appointment shall be required to resign from service,” it added.
The government noted that the directive is backed by existing Public Service Rules and must be enforced across all ministries, departments, and agencies, directing Permanent Secretaries and heads of extra-ministerial offices to ensure full compliance.
The 2026 Confirmation/Promotion (COMPRO) examination, scheduled to be conducted as a Computer-Based Test, is targeted at newly recruited officers on Salary Grade Levels 01 to 06. Authorities described the examination as central to maintaining standards within the federal civil service.
Dr Ukaira explained that the examination remains a statutory requirement for career progression, adding that registration has commenced through the official portal, with candidates required to complete the process online and submit relevant documentation through their respective MDAs.
To qualify, candidates must have served for at least six months and be formally nominated by their MDAs. They are also required to provide valid contact details and comply with all accreditation procedures.
“Candidates who fail to be accredited on the stipulated date will not be allowed to sit for the examination,” the circular warned.
The examination will test candidates in key areas of public administration, including English Language, Public Service Rules, Financial Regulations, General Paper, and Computer Literacy.
The COMPRO examination, anchored in provisions 030104 and 030105 of the Public Service Rules, has long been a requirement for confirmation and promotion in the federal civil service. However, its enforcement has been inconsistent over the years.
(Punch)