• The Federal Government has warned junior civil servants that failing the compulsory promotion examination three consecutive times could lead to dismissal from service
• Civil servants who do not take the confirmation examination within three years of appointment also risk losing their jobs
• The policy applies to junior officers on Salary Grade Levels 01 to 06 across federal MDAs

Junior officers in the Federal Civil Service may lose their jobs if they fail the compulsory confirmation and promotion examination three times in a row, following a fresh directive from the Federal Government aimed at improving discipline and performance across the public service.

The warning 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, Dr Binyerem C. Ukaira, on behalf of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

The directive made it clear that the compulsory confirmation and promotion examination is no longer just a requirement for career advancement, but also a condition for staying in 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 government also introduced a strict participation timeline, warning that officers who fail to sit for the examination within the required period could also be forced out of service.

“An officer who fails to take the confirmation examination after three years of his/her first appointment shall be required to resign from service,” it added.

According to the circular, the policy is rooted in existing Public Service Rules and must be strictly enforced across all Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

“The Permanent Secretary/Head of Extra-Ministerial Office shall ensure strict compliance and enforcement,” it said.

The 2026 Confirmation/Promotion Examination, popularly known as COMPRO, will be conducted as a Computer-Based Test and is specifically targeted at newly recruited junior officers on Salary Grade Levels 01 to 06.

Authorities described the examination as a critical tool for maintaining standards and competence in the Federal Civil Service.

“The examination… is a statutory requirement for the career progression of all junior officers in the Public Service,” Dr Ukaira explained.

Registration for the examination has commenced through the official online portal, and eligible officers are expected to complete the process and submit the required documentation through their respective MDAs.

“The examination portal is now open for candidates’ registration,” he confirmed.

To qualify, candidates must have spent at least six months in service and must be formally nominated by their Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

They are also required to provide valid contact information and complete all registration steps before the deadline.

The circular warned that any candidate who fails to complete the accreditation process on the scheduled date would be automatically disqualified from sitting the examination.

“Candidates who failed to be accredited on the stipulated date would not be allowed to sit for the examination,” Dr Ukaira warned.

The examination will assess candidates in core areas of public administration, including English Language, Public Service Rules, Financial Regulations, General Paper and Computer Literacy, among others.

COMPRO has long remained a key requirement in Nigeria’s Federal Civil Service, serving as a benchmark for assessing competence, confirmation and promotion readiness among junior officers.

It is backed by the Public Service Rules, particularly provisions 030104 and 030105, although enforcement has historically been inconsistent.

However, the latest directive signals a stronger push by the Federal Government to enforce compliance, strengthen accountability and improve efficiency in the civil service.

The new policy effectively makes success in the promotion examination a direct condition for job retention, particularly for junior officers.

Analysts say the move may help raise standards in the civil service, but it could also place added pressure on workers already navigating a demanding public sector system.

FG unveils N10bn housing loan scheme to boost civil servants’ home ownership

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Federal Government had approved a N10 billion housing loan scheme aimed at helping Nigerian civil servants achieve home ownership, in a move designed to strengthen workforce stability and productivity.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, noted that the initiative would be implemented through the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria and the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board.

According to her, the programme is part of broader efforts to improve the welfare of civil servants while enhancing their efficiency and commitment to national service.