Junior civil servants employed by the Federal Government may lose their jobs if they fail the compulsory confirmation and promotion examination three times in a row, following a new directive aimed at strengthening discipline and improving performance in the public service.
The warning was contained in a circular issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and signed by the Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Dr Binyerem C. Ukaira, on behalf of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
According to the circular, the examination is not only necessary for promotion but has now been reinforced as a key condition for continued employment in the federal civil service.
The directive stated that any officer who fails the examination after three consecutive attempts would be required to resign or withdraw from service.
It also introduced a firm deadline for participation, stating that officers who fail to take the confirmation examination within three years of their first appointment would also be expected to leave the service.
The government said the policy is backed by existing Public Service Rules and must be fully implemented across all ministries, departments and agencies.
Permanent Secretaries and heads of extra-ministerial offices were instructed to ensure strict compliance with the directive.
The 2026 COMPRO examination, which will be conducted through a Computer-Based Test format, is meant for newly recruited junior officers on Salary Grade Levels 01 to 06.
Authorities described the exercise as a statutory requirement that plays a central role in career progression for junior public servants.
Registration for eligible candidates has opened through the official portal, with officers expected to complete the online process and submit required documents through their respective ministries, departments and agencies.
To qualify, candidates must have spent at least six months in service and must be formally nominated by their MDAs. They are also required to provide valid contact information and complete all registration procedures.
The circular warned that any candidate who fails to complete accreditation within the approved period would not be allowed to sit for the examination.
The test will cover major areas of public administration, including English Language, Public Service Rules, Financial Regulations, General Paper and Computer Literacy, among others.
The COMPRO examination has long been part of the federal civil service system and is designed to assess competence before confirmation and promotion. It is rooted in provisions 030104 and 030105 of the Public Service Rules.
Although the rules have existed for years, enforcement has often been uneven. The latest directive signals a renewed push by the government to enforce compliance, strengthen accountability and improve efficiency across the service.
The policy also means examination performance will now have direct implications for job security, particularly for junior officers.
Analysts say the measure could help raise standards in the civil service, though it may also increase pressure on workers operating within an already demanding system.
