Headline

305 Directors Fail FG’s Exams In Four Years, Say Reports

Published

2 years ago

June 1, 2024

No fewer than 305 directors have failed the written examination for appointment into the offices of permanent secretaries of the Federal Civil Service in the last four years, The PUNCH investigation has shown.

Recall that no fewer than civil servants who sat the 2022 FCS Promotion examinations failed, according to a list issued by the FCS Commission on November 30, 2023.

No fewer than 13,000 civil servants sat the 2022 examination, which was held in about 69 Computer Based Test centres across the country, while the candidates were drawn from the core civil service, the Nigeria Police, and other para-military and specialised agencies.

The letter, tagged FC.6241/S.35/Vol.xi/ T12/268, was signed by the Director of Promotions, Sani Bello, and addressed to the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.

A list attached to the letter noted that only 3,851 civil servants out of the over 13,000 civil servants who sat the promotion examination passed.

In the list, it was stated that 139 officers were promoted from the post of Assistant Chief Administrative Officer to Chief Administrative Officer.

A total of 191 were also promoted to the post of Assistant Chief Administrative Officer from the role of Principal Administrative Officer, just as a total of 313 civil servants were promoted from the role of Senior Administrative Officer to Principal Administrative Officer, while a total of 191 were promoted to Senior Administrative Officer from the role of Administrative Officer 1 among others.

However, an investigation by Saturday PUNCH showed that no fewer than 305 directors out of 664 have so far failed the qualifying examinations of the FCS between 2020 and 2024.

In September 2020, no fewer than nine directors in the FCS failed the first stage of a re-sit promotional exam as only 14 were shortlisted for a second round of the test out of the 23 directors who took the exam.

Similarly, in June 2021, another 21 directors on Salary Grade Level 17 in the FCS, who sat a written exam as part of the process of appointing them as permanent secretaries, also failed the examination.

The 21 directors were among 46 senior officers, who took the examination in Abuja on Monday, May 31, 2021.

The remaining 25 of them, who passed the examination, made it to the next stage, which was the Information Communication Technology proficiency test which was held on Thursday, June 3, 2021.

However, in February 2022, another 37 directors failed the FCS qualifying examination organised to fill vacant positions of permanent secretaries declared by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.

A total of 74 directors had sat for the examination, but only 37 of them scored 50 per cent and above while the other 37 scored below 50 per cent, which amounted to failure.

A circular obtained from the OHCSF with reference number HCSF/PS/CMO/154/I/70 and signed by Olusola Idowu on behalf of the Examination Committee explained that the 37 directors, who passed the examination, would sit an ICT proficiency test in Abuja few days later.

However in August of that same year, another 137 persons out of the 344 civil servants on the directorate cadre jostling to be appointed as principals of the nation’s 110 unity schools across the country failed the examination organised by the Federal Ministry of Education.

The PUNCH gathered that the 207 directors, who passed the computer-based competency test, were scheduled for oral interviews after the examination.

In a similar vein, no fewer than 61 directors failed the written examination for the appointment of new permanent secretaries in the FCS, which was held on Monday, November 6, 2023.

A total of 85 directors were initially shortlisted for the examination out of which four were absent while only 20 directors passed the exam and were invited to the next stage which was the ICT proficiency stage.

According to a memo dated November 7, 2023, obtained from the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation which was dated, the 61 directors who failed the examination scored below 50 per cent, which disqualified them from the race.

More so, another 40 directors recently failed the qualifying examination for appointment to the position of permanent secretary.

A total of 92 directors were listed to sit the examination, which took place on May 27, 2024.

While 40 directors scored below 50 per cent, which indicated failure, according to the result of the examination obtained by our correspondent in Abuja, three were absent while one director could not complete the exam.

A May 28, 2024 memo by the Office of the Head of Service tagged, “HCSF/ CMO/ AOD/012/IX/59’ noted that the next test would be an ICT-based test.
PUNCH

Headline

Russia, China Afraid Of US Under My Administration — Trump

Published

2 days ago

January 8, 2026

Editor

United States President, Donald Trump, has said Russia and China fear the United States because of the strength of his administration, arguing that American global influence is driven primarily by its military power and leadership.

Trump, in a post on Truth Social on Wednesday stated that rival powers would not take NATO seriously without the United States, claiming the alliance lacks deterrent force in the absence of American involvement.

He expressed doubts about whether NATO members would come to the aid of the US in a real crisis, despite Washington’s continued commitment to the alliance.

The president credited his leadership with rebuilding the US military during his first term and sustaining its strength, describing this as the key reason adversaries show respect and caution toward the country.

He maintained that America’s military dominance has played a central role in preserving global stability and saving lives.

Trump also argued that his administration forced NATO members to increase defence spending, saying many allies had previously failed to meet financial commitments while relying heavily on the US.

He added that his actions helped prevent further escalation in Eastern Europe and contributed to the resolution of multiple conflicts.

According to Trump, the United States remains the only nation that commands genuine fear and respect from both Russia and China, a position he attributed to his administration’s approach to defence, diplomacy, and global leadership.

“He wrote partly, “The only Nation that China and Russia fear and respect is the DJT REBUILT U.S.A. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!! President DJT.”

Headline

Trump To Withdraw US From 66 UN, International Organisations

Published

2 days ago

January 8, 2026

Editor

United States President, Donald Trump, has announced plans to withdraw the US from 66 United Nations and international organisations, including key global bodies focused on climate change, peace and democracy.

The decision was disclosed in a presidential memorandum released by the White House on Wednesday evening, following a review of which “organizations, conventions, and treaties are contrary to the interests of the United States.”

According to Trump, the move will see the US end its participation in the affected organisations and cut all related funding.

A list shared by the White House showed that 35 of the organisations are non-UN bodies, including the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Although listed as a non-UN body by the White House, the IPCC is a United Nations organisation that brings together leading scientists to assess climate change evidence and provide periodic reports to guide political leaders.

The memorandum also announced the US withdrawal from 31 UN entities, including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the UN Democracy Fund, and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), which focuses on maternal and child health.

Several of the targeted UN bodies are involved in protecting vulnerable groups during armed conflicts, including the UN Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict.

Reacting to the announcement, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a note to correspondents on Wednesday evening that the organisation expected to issue a response by Thursday morning.

Despite repeatedly stating his desire to limit US involvement in UN forums, Trump has continued to exert influence on international decision-making.

In October last year, he threatened to impose sanctions on diplomats who formally adopted a levy on polluting shipping fuels that had already been agreed to at an earlier meeting, a move that stalled the deal for 12 months.

The Trump administration also sanctioned UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese after she released a report detailing the role of international and US companies in Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza.

During his first term in 2017, Trump similarly threatened to cut aid to countries that supported a draft UN resolution condemning the US decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the US wields significant influence at the United Nations, including veto power, which it has repeatedly used to block efforts to end Israel’s war on Gaza before later mediating a ceasefire.

(Aljazeera)

Headline

UK Supported US Mission To Seize Russian-flagged Oil Tanker – Defense Ministry

Published

2 days ago

January 7, 2026

Editor

The British Ministry of Defence said on Wednesday that it provided support to the United States in its operation to seize a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic.

US seized the tanker, which was being shadowed by a Russian submarine on Wednesday, after pursuing it for more than two weeks across the Atlantic as part of Washington’s efforts to block Venezuelan oil exports.

According to Britain, its armed forces gave pre-planned operational support, including basing following a US request for assistance.

The UK also said a military vessel provided support for the US forces pursuing the tanker, and the Royal Air Force provided surveillance support from the air.

Defence Secretary John Healey stated that the operation targeted a vessel with a nefarious history linked to Russian and Iranian sanctions evasion networks.

“This action formed part of global efforts to crack down on sanctions busting,” he said in a statement.

According to him, the US was Britain’s closest defence and security partner.

“The depth of our defence relationship with the US is an essential part of our security, and today’s seamlessly executed operation shows just how well this works in practice,” he added.

The British government said that the Bella-1 tanker, now renamed Marinera, is sanctioned by the US under its counter-Iran sanctions,

The MoD statement said the support was provided in full compliance with international law.