The Yobe State Head of Service, Alhaji Tonga Betara Bularafa, embarked on a comprehensive inspection of the 2025 Civil Service Promotion Examinations across the state, advocating for a merit-based career progression system for civil servants. The examination, a crucial step in the career advancement of civil servants, witnessed the participation of 3,207 senior personnel distributed across three designated centers: Damaturu, Gashua, and Potiskum. Bularafa’s presence at the examination venues served as a testament to the government’s commitment to ensuring a fair and transparent evaluation process. His interaction with the candidates underscored the importance of the examination as a key determinant of their career trajectory within the civil service.
The examination centers, strategically located to cater to a wide geographical distribution of candidates, facilitated a smooth and organized conduct of the exercise. The Damaturu center, situated at Government Girls’ Unity College, accommodated the largest cohort with 1,852 candidates. The Gashua center, hosted at Umar Suleiman College of Education, catered to 858 candidates, while the Potiskum center, based at the College of Administration, Management, and Technology (CAMTECH), accommodated the remaining 497 candidates. This strategic allocation of examination centers ensured accessibility and convenience for all participating civil servants.
Bularafa’s primary objective during his inspection tour was to ensure the integrity and transparency of the examination process. His presence served as a deterrent against potential irregularities and reinforced the government’s commitment to a merit-based system of promotion. By personally observing the conduct of the examination, Bularafa aimed to instill confidence among the candidates and assure them of a fair and equitable evaluation process. The Head of Service also used the opportunity to engage with the candidates, emphasizing the importance of the examination as a gateway to career advancement and encouraging them to approach the exercise with diligence and integrity.
Bularafa’s reaffirmation of the government’s dedication to merit-based career advancement highlights the state’s focus on fostering a culture of professionalism and competence within the civil service. He emphasized the importance of the examination as a tool for assessing the knowledge, skills, and abilities of civil servants, ensuring that promotions are based on merit rather than extraneous factors. This commitment to meritocracy aims to create a more efficient and effective civil service, driven by qualified and competent individuals who can contribute meaningfully to the development of the state.
The Rector of CAMTECH Potiskum, Ibrahim Bomai, echoed the government’s sentiment by pledging the institution’s support in maintaining an effective and reliable examination process. This collaboration between the state government and educational institutions is crucial for ensuring the smooth execution of the promotion exercise and upholding the highest standards of integrity. The Rector’s assurance further reinforces the commitment to a transparent and credible evaluation process, fostering trust among the candidates and the wider civil service community.
The Head of Service’s inspection tour was not a solitary endeavor; he was accompanied by key officials from the state government, including the Permanent Secretary (Establishment), Shuaibu Ibrahim Amshi, and the Director of Administration, Mohammed Mustapha Gambo. The presence of these senior officials underscores the importance attached to the promotion examination and the government’s commitment to ensuring its smooth conduct. Furthermore, the inclusion of the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Yobe State Council, Comrade Rajab Mohammed Isma’il, and a team of journalists, ensured transparency and accountability through media coverage of the event. This collaborative approach, involving government officials, educational institutions, and the media, signifies a collective effort to strengthen the integrity and credibility of the civil service promotion process.
