NOA Deepens Digital Reform with Nationwide CBT Promotion Examination

By Al-Kadriyar Abdullahi

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has further strengthened its digital transformation agenda with the successful conduct of its 2026 nationwide promotion examination using Computer-Based Testing (CBT).

The examination, held across the country, marks the second consecutive year the Agency has adopted CBT for staff promotion exams—an innovation introduced under the leadership of the Director-General, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu.

The exercise commenced simultaneously nationwide at 9:00 a.m. and concluded at 10:15 a.m. It was supervised by officials from the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the Federal Character Commission, alongside senior NOA officers.

Speaking on the development, the Director of Human Resources Management, Mrs. Joanah Ayisola Olowoyo, commended the Director-General for keeping his promise to institutionalise early and transparent promotion examinations for staff.

She noted that prior to the introduction of CBT, NOA staff were required to travel across states within their geo-political zones to sit for promotion examinations—an arrangement that imposed financial, logistical, and welfare burdens on employees.

According to her, the adoption of CBT, conducted by JAMB, now allows staff to write their promotion examinations within their respective states, significantly reducing costs and stress while enhancing professionalism, efficiency, and career development within the Agency.

Several candidates who participated in the examination also expressed appreciation to the Director-General, describing the reform as a major boost to staff welfare, productivity, and institutional transparency.

Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, who assumed office in October 2023, has since discontinued the long-standing practice of inter-state travel for promotion examinations.

The transition from handwritten examinations to CBT remains one of the flagship reforms under his leadership, aimed at modernising NOA’s operations and aligning the Agency with global best practices in public service administration.