The Federal Government has granted automatic promotion to six civil servants from the Ministry of Defence who were kidnapped in Kogi State while travelling to Abuja for their 2025 promotion examinations.
The affected officers were abducted on their way from Lagos to Abuja, and the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) approved their promotion on compassionate grounds, considering the trauma they experienced.
Tunji Olaopa, chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), disclosed this on Saturday in Abuja.
Olaopa described the incident as regrettable, noting that the decision was taken as a compassionate response to the trauma the affected officers endured.
He explained that the commission, after consultations with the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and other stakeholders, approved their elevation to the next grade level as education officers.
“The commission, in giving due consideration to the trauma that the victims of the kidnapping went through, hereby, on compassionate grounds grant automatic promotion to the six candidates to their next grade level,” Olaopa said.
He added that the commission commiserated with the affected officers on behalf of the federal civil service and acknowledged the emotional and psychological toll of the incident.
Olaopa described he new directors as “guinea pigs” in the transition from traditional pen-and-paper promotion exams to computer-based testing (CBT), a move the commission said recorded near 100% success.
Olaopa said the development has reinforced the need to reform the conduct of promotion examinations, particularly by reducing the risks associated with long-distance travel by candidates.
“The CBT has enhanced transparency, reduced cost, manpower, and time, while improving reliability, accuracy, and timely processing of results. These officers helped us test the new system and set a strong foundation for future promotion exercises,” he said.
Olaopa also noted that the commission is committed to using technology to decentralise examinations, allowing civil servants to take promotion tests closer to their duty stations to prevent long-distance travel risks.
He further highlighted structural challenges within the civil service, including declining professional capacity, gaps in workforce planning, and the impact of prolonged recruitment embargoes, which have led to manpower imbalances and stagnation in promotions.
Olaopa said ongoing human resource audits and reforms in performance evaluation are aimed at tackling these issues and strengthening institutional effectiveness.
He urged the newly promoted directors to embrace reform and professionalism, stressing the importance of renewed dedication to public service values and national development.
