(Officials inspecting the promotion examinations. Photo by Punch news)
After decades of paper-based evaluation in the state’s public sector, the Kwara State Government has implemented computer-based promotion exams for civil servants.
Olufunke Shittu, Kwara State’s Acting Head of Service, said in a statement on Tuesday that the reform represents a significant change in the state’s administrative procedure and is in line with international norms for the provision of public services.
She gave a speech at an examination of the digital promotion test that civil officials took at the Kwara State College of Education’s CBT center in Ilorin.
She called the project “transformative” and stated that the new system was intended to boost credibility and get rid of inefficiencies related to the previous paper-based approach.
This is a process of transformation rather than only an examination. Today marks the start of a new phase in the Kwara civil service.
We have struggled with problems like missing scripts, marking delays, and preventable human mistake for years. This system resolves those issues head-on and rebuilds trust in the promotion procedure, she said.
The exercise, according to Olufunke, is the first of its type in the state and is a component of larger changes meant to enhance accountability, efficiency, and service delivery within government departments and agencies.
She said that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s administration has continuously pushed for innovation in governance, and she credited his support for the initiative’s success.
“The Governor has emphasized the necessity of innovation in governance on a regular basis. His assistance has been crucial to the smooth transition,” she continued.
She also praised the Kwara State Civil Service Commission for organizing the exercise, pointing out that thorough preparation and employee training guaranteed a seamless implementation.
Olufunke went on to encourage civil officials to use digital tools, stating that technology proficiency is now crucial in contemporary public administration.
In the modern workplace, digital literacy is now required. As we expand these reforms, civil servants must be prepared to change with the system,” she stated.
She reiterated the government’s commitment to creating an open, performance-driven civil service in the state and informed applicants that they would receive sufficient technical assistance during the exercise.
