Over 3,200 civil servants in Bauchi State have sat for the 2026 Batch A and B State Civil Service Promotion Examination.
The Bauchi State Head of Civil Service, Barrister Muhammad Sani Umar, disclosed this on Saturday while speaking with journalists after monitoring the exercise at Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic (ATAP), Bauchi.
He said the examination was an annual exercise and one of the criteria for promoting civil servants to higher positions.
According to him, the objective goes beyond determining whether candidates pass or fail, as it is also designed to update their knowledge of civil service rules and regulations and prepare them for greater responsibilities.
“Our concern is to prepare our civil servants, bring them up to date with our regulations and ensure that, when entrusted with greater responsibilities, they discharge their duties in accordance with the existing rules and regulations,” he said.
Umar expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the examination, noting that improvements had been recorded compared with previous years.
“Today is another opportunity to assess the exercise, and I have observed improvements compared with previous years. We have continued to record progress annually, and this year is no exception,” he said.
Although he acknowledged that some areas might require further improvement, the Head of Service maintained that the exercise had generally been successful.
He stressed that promotion should not be viewed solely in terms of salary increases, financial benefits or official status, noting that advancement in the civil service comes with greater responsibilities and higher expectations.
Umar explained that the examination complemented the practical experience civil servants had acquired in the field with the theoretical and administrative knowledge required to function effectively at higher levels.
“Beyond the practical experience they have acquired in the field, the examination also provides them with the theoretical and administrative knowledge they need to perform effectively at higher levels,” he added.
On challenges associated with the exercise, he said no significant difficulties had been encountered, attributing the smooth conduct to adequate planning and experience gained from organising the examinations over the years.
“We have been conducting civil service promotion examinations for more than ten years, and we are continuously improving the process,” he said.
He added that preparations for the 2027 examination would begin the following week as part of efforts to sustain the improvements recorded.
Umar urged candidates to approach the exercise with the right mindset, describing it as an opportunity to improve their knowledge, strengthen their professional competence and prepare for the demands of higher positions.
Also speaking, the Director of Examinations, Maigari Umaru Hamzat, said the exercise was open to eligible state civil servants and personnel under the Primary Health Care Under One Roof (PHCUOR) arrangement who had registered and attended the sensitisation workshop organised for the examination.
Hamzat warned candidates against using mobile phones and other electronic devices in the examination halls, urging them to comply strictly with the rules and regulations governing the exercise.
