NIGERIA
A row between officials of the Civil Service Commission in the Nigerian State of Niger has led to the last-minute cancellation of examinations for entry into the Federal Public Service.
Permanent Secretary of the Commission, Yusuf B. Kagara informed the more than 3,500 candidates who were due to take the computer-based test of the cancellation through a statement on the Commission’s website.
While he gave no reason for the cancellation, journalists learned it was because of a disagreement between the Commission Chair and its four Permanent Commissioners over whether the test would be conducted electronically or in the traditional pen-and-paper mode.
The Commissioners accused Chair, Alhaji Shehu Galadima of taking a unilateral decision to mount an electronic test at the Minna Federal University of Technology’s Computer Based Test Centre.
Permanent Commissioner Mohammed Adams Erena said they knew nothing of the electronic test until Mr Galadima announced it.
“When I heard the rumours about a computer-based test, I confronted the Chairman and explained to him the position of other members, but he told me point-blank that the exercise must go on whether we like it or not,” Mr Erena said.
He said he and the other Commissioners held the view that a computer-based test would not serve the interests of candidates from rural areas, as they would have had to travel to the State capital, Minna to take the test.
The Niger State House of Assembly has summoned the officials to explain their behaviour over the issue.
Minna, 9 April 2018
