By Rismadarvoice, 19 November 2025
The ongoing Computer-Based Test (CBT) for the recruitment of 4,000 personnel into the Akwa Ibom State Civil Service has been described as fair, seamless and free from any form of examination malpractice.
Commissioner for ICT and Digital Economy, Engr. Frank Ekpenyong stated this as the compulsory test entered its 13th day at the Civil Service Auditorium, Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat.
Engr. Ekpenyong emphasized that Governor Umo Eno’s vision of leveraging technology to ensure transparency and merit-based recruitment into the State Civil Service is being implemented meticulously.
Speaking through Supervisor 1 at the CBT Centre, Rachel Mba, the Commissioner highlighted the State Government’s readiness to detect and prevent any form of examination malpractice, including impersonation.
“The experience so far has been seamless, although we’ve encountered a few attempts at impersonation. Candidates trying to write exams on behalf of others are easily identified through our facial recognition system. Each candidate undergoes a liveness check during registration, and their images are matched with live camera feeds at the computers. Any impersonator is immediately apprehended and handed over to the Nigeria Police and the DSS.” Supervisor Mba explained.
She further revealed that attempts to use mobile phones or access other websites during the examination are swiftly detected. “When we catch candidates trying to cheat, their examinations are cancelled, devices confiscated, and they are handed over to the Police,” she added.
Governor Eno has consistently reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to digitalizing the State’s public service, insisting that the move promotes merit, transparency, and efficiency while eliminating godfatherism.
“The Civil Service is the engine room of governance. The quality of people we bring into the service matters in this 21st century. Candidates must demonstrate basic computing skills to participate in the examination. This system eliminates godfatherism and ensures that employment is truly merit-based,” Governor Eno said during a visit to the CBT Centre at Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat.
Candidates who have participated in the process expressed appreciation to Governor Eno, applauding the initiative for ending the era of godfatherism in civil service recruitment.
The digitalized recruitment process aligns with Governor Eno’s ARISE Agenda, which emphasizes innovation, inclusivity, and modernization of the public service to meet the demands of contemporary governance.
