By Solomon OKPO
UYO, In a bold move to elevate the quality and efficiency of public service in Akwa Ibom, Governor Umo Eno has inspected a newly established Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centre, set up to facilitate a more transparent and merit-driven recruitment process into the State Civil Service.
The inspection took place at the Civil Service Auditorium within the State Secretariat Complex in Uyo, where Governor Eno reiterated his administration’s commitment to modernizing the workforce and eliminating unproductive practices such as favoritism and godfatherism.
Speaking with Government House correspondents, the Governor emphasized the need to reposition the civil service to meet the demands of a digital and rapidly evolving world.
“The Civil Service is the engine room of governance. If we don’t get the Civil Service right, we would never get governance right,” Governor Eno asserted.
He further explained that the CBT approach would ensure that only competent, computer-literate, and forward-thinking individuals are recruited into the system.
“We need to have people who, at least, understand basic computer services and are confident in what they are doing,” he added. “This move will also drastically reduce external influence in the recruitment process.”
According to the Governor, the CBT method is a practical step toward promoting merit and seriousness among applicants. He emphasized that applicants who are well-prepared will succeed, while others will have a fair chance to try again.
Commissioner for Science and Digital Economy, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong, lauded the Governor’s foresight, noting that the centre can accommodate over 400 applicants per session, with the capacity to assess up to 2,000 candidates daily in batches.
Also speaking, the Head of Civil Service, Elder Effiong Essien, thanked the Governor for bringing innovation into the system and confirmed that the first phase of the CBT-based recruitment exams will take place within the next ten days.
He encouraged applicants to prepare for what he described as a simple, user-friendly evaluation process.
The inspection was witnessed by members of the State Executive Council, industry leaders, political stakeholders, and government staff.
Governor Eno’s initiative signals a clear shift toward a more efficient, fair, and future-ready civil service, aligning Akwa Ibom with global best practices in public sector recruitment.
