A’Ibom approves N1.6bn transport allowance for CBT applicants

File Copy: Akwa Ibom Governor, Umo Eno

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Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno has approved the release of N50,000 each as transport allowance for 33,461 applicants who sat for the just-concluded Computer-Based Test, amounting to over N1.6bn.

The CBT commenced on November 4, 2025, at the Civil Service Auditorium in Uyo. The government had rehabilitated the auditorium and equipped it with over 400 new computers, networking facilities and a stable power supply — ensuring a fully digital testing environment to promote fairness, transparency and efficiency in public-service recruitment.

Eno unveiled the package after the Commissioner for Science and Digital Economy, Dr Frank Ekpenyong, presented an update on the CBT outcome on Thursday.

This was contained in a statement obtained from the Government House press unit on Friday.

Eno said, “People don’t come for interviews and walk away with nothing. Let them get the fifty thousand naira they spent on transport and lunch.”

For those who did not meet the cut-off mark, the Governor announced that all unsuccessful candidates would be enrolled into the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Programme.

He noted that while the state cannot absorb everyone into the civil service, the numerous ongoing projects across Akwa Ibom require trained manpower, making skills training a viable pathway to meaningful income.

For candidates who passed the CBT, Eno confirmed that oral interviews for the 12,000 applicants who scored between 50 and 90 per cent will take place between January and February. He directed the immediate setting up of a committee to oversee the scrutiny and interview process.

He said a total of 4,000 successful candidates are expected to receive their employment letters by the first week of March, followed by compulsory training and induction.

The Governor also ordered the creation of a database of the remaining successful candidates, explaining that they would be considered for future recruitment needs within the next two to three years.

“We need four thousand now. Next time we need one thousand, we simply select from this database. So, there is hope,” he emphasised.

Earlier, while presenting the report, the Commissioner for Science and Digital Economy, Dr Frank Ekpenyong, disclosed that 37,314 persons applied, 33,461 took the CBT screening, and 12,502 scored 50 per cent and above.

He further disclosed that Persons with Disabilities were given a special one-hour test instead of the standard 40 minutes. However, only one PWD candidate scored up to 60 per cent, while two exceptional candidates from the general pool achieved 90 per cent.

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