Oyo State Head of Service Clarifies 2025 Confirmation/Advancement/Promotion Examinations for Public Servants

The Oyo State Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, mni, has reaffirmed that the proposed 2025 Confirmation, Promotion, and Advancement Examinations for Public Servants in Oyo State are fully in line with the provisions of the Public Service Rules (PSR) 1 of 2013.

In a statement issued in Ibadan, Mrs Oni explained that Chapter 6, Rule 060101 of the PSR clearly provides that all officers joining the service, or transferring from one establishment to another, who are yet to be confirmed, must pass the prescribed examinations outlined in Sections 3 and 4 of the Rules.

The statement further noted that the Ministry of Establishments and Training, in its effort to maintain a uniform Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) aligned with Federal standards, issued Circular No. AD3/2/206/[VOL.II/157] dated 11th May 2021, which guides various cadres across the Civil, Judicial, Legislative, and Local Government Services, as well as Commissions and Boards. The circular reinforces the PSR provisions, mandating that all staff appointed to Junior (GL. 01–06), Sub-Officer (GL. 07–14), and Officer Cadres (GL. 08–17) must pass the prescribed examinations within two years of appointment for confirmation, advancement, or promotion.

The only exemption to this rule, according to Mrs Oni, applies to medical officers appointed directly to Consultant Grade Level 15, who must still observe a two-year probationary period before confirmation. These officers will also undergo an induction course jointly organised by the Office of the Head of Service and the Oyo State Hospital Management Board.

The statement also referenced the Civil Service Commission Circular Ref. No. C.16102/120 dated 13th February 2024, which requires all officers in specialised and professional cadres to register, sit for, and pass the five compulsory papers stipulated in Section 060402 of the Public Service Rules, Vol. 1 (2013) before promotion beyond Grade Level 13, to adequately prepare them for higher managerial responsibilities.

In line with the ongoing review, the number of subjects to be written has been revised to seven papers for officer cadres, five papers for sub-officer cadres, and four papers for junior staff, as contained in earlier circulars issued by the Office of the Head of Service.

Mrs Oni assured public servants and the general public that the examinations are not designed to fail candidates but to enhance professional competence and merit-based progression. She emphasised that the old “fail one paper, fail all” policy has been replaced, allowing officers who fail a paper to resit only the failed subject in subsequent examinations. While the examination is regarded as compulsory, it is only mandatory for those who are prepared to progress in their careers as the examination is a prerequisite to confirmation, advancement and subsequent promotion in the service.

She further clarified that payment for the examinations is not new, as it has been an established practice over the years, assuring officers that the process will be transparent and fair.

It will be recalled that the Ministry of Establishments and Training recently concluded examinations for Clerical Officers at Grade Level 04 and related cadres in continuation of this reform process.

Abiodun Atilola

Head of Media and Publicity,

Office of the Secretary to the State Government / Head of Service. Ibadan.