Michael Effiong James
In the last few days, my inbox has been inundated. My social media handles have been busy. The subject is the same: misconceptions around the Akwa Ibom State Computer Based Test and the ongoing civil service recruitment exercise.
I have chosen to respond because of a timeless dictum: if lies are allowed to fester, especially in this age of fake news, click-baiting and clout-chasing without confronting them head-on with facts, some people may begin to mistake those lies for the truth.
It was to set the records straight, and because sometimes silence is not golden, that Governor Pastor Umo Eno spoke on the matter, clarifying that scoring 100% in the Computer Based Test does not translate to automatic employment.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with what the Governor said. In fact, that is global best practice in recruitment. But to understand his statement, we must remember how we got here.
During his electioneering campaign, Governor Eno vowed to democratize opportunity in Akwa Ibom. He promised that if elected, every opportunity whether employment or empowerment would be open to all. You would not need to know anyone to benefit.
Immediately he assumed office, he kept his word. He strengthened the ICT and Digital Services Directorate under a thoroughbred professional, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong, who served as Senior Special Assistant.
On February 23, 2025, the Directorate was upgraded to the Ministry of Science and Digital Economy, in line with the Governor’s ambitious plan not just to digitize governance, but to democratize opportunity.
A few months earlier, on October 21, 2024, that Directorate had delivered one of his key campaign promises: a state Employment Portal.
At the launch, the Governor said:
“Today, I am pleased and happy to launch the ARISE Youth Employment Portal, where job opportunities will be segmented according to skill set.
“With the launch of this portal, all employers of labour in the state are to utilize this portal for their employment opportunities, from jobs in the Civil Service to those within the private sector.
“Akwa Ibom State has some of the most talented youths with marketable skill-sets in the nation from artisans, to ICT, to fashion, chefs, and to highly skilled professionals. I urge those in the private sector, especially those who do business with our State Government, to utilize this portal.
“This portal is a one-stop site, where everything relating to employment will be handled — from job opportunities that will be regularly posted, to computer aptitude tests, especially for prospective civil servants.”The stage was thus set for a portal-driven, CBT-based recruitment.
Excitement as Governor Eno Commences CBT Exams for Civil Service Recruitment
When the portal went live and applications poured in, the Governor was visibly delighted. Being a hands-on leader, his bumper-to-bumper monitoring of the process was exemplary. He personally inspected the CBT centre in October 2025 — a high-tech facility with capacity for 2,000 participants daily, equipped with high-speed internet, modern computers and a serene, well-lit environment.
After the inspection, he said:
“This is an excellent innovation that must be replicated across our state. We need to have more merit-based programmes in the civil service because it will definitely enhance the quality and commitment of staff.”
I quoted him deliberately. Note the operative phrase: “merit-based.” That is the crux of this matter.
The CBT centre itself was first-rate. The air-conditioning worked perfectly, the ambience was welcoming, and the teams from the Ministry and the Civil Service Commission, with their support staff, were civil and professional.
I visited the Centre a few times and was proud of what I saw. Onboarding was seamless. Entry and exit were orderly. Candidates were given time to relax and offered excellent pre-examination pep talks. Those unfamiliar with the keyboard received on-the-spot support. There were dedicated provisions for the physically-challenged and visually- impaired.
Those who missed their examination dates for genuine reasons were given a second chance. The Governor’s intent was clear: give everyone a fair chance.
After the CBT, Governor Umo Eno approved a N50,000 transport and lunch allowance for each of the 33,461 applicants — totaling N1.6 billion. From that number, 12,502 candidates who scored 50% and above were then shortlisted for oral interview.
This is where the matter gets interesting. How do you further prune 12,502 without bruising sentiments to 3,000? You may excel in the CBT but appear unkempt, lack composure, or be unable to defend your certificate at the interview. The oral interview is an entirely different kettle of fish. Your CBT score alone is not the sole criterion at that stage. This was exactly what the Governor was saying.
I have thrown this challenge to many sceptics, and I repeat it here: let anyone present evidence of a single individual who scored below 50% in the CBT and was considered or employed. Or show one person who did not sit for the test at all and was offered employment.
It is not enough to speculate that the process favoured a special class. We all know that Citizens’ trust in government has indeed been eroded over the years — and that is precisely what Governor Eno is trying to change with a more transparent system.
The government has gone to great lengths and expended huge public funds to make this process business unusual. What the Governor deserves — though in his humility, he would never ask, is encouragement to do more, and for other states to emulate him. Instead of condemnation, it should be commendation all the way.
Remember, this is the same Governor who told everyone who cared to listen that he has no employment slots, directing all applicants to the portal. It is the same Governor who uncovered over 2,000 ghost workers on the civil service payroll, thereby creating fiscal space for a more vibrant workforce and saving the state billions.
For all doubters of the integrity of the CBT and recruitment exercise, I now have my joker in hand. I simply send them the video clip of Daniel Ukpong, one of the newly-recruited teachers.
Speaking on behalf of his colleagues at the World Teachers’ Day celebration at Uyo Township Stadium on Monday, October 5, 2026, Daniel said:
“On behalf of the newly-recruited teachers, we want to say thank you, Your Excellency. Thank you, Your Excellency, this is what we call merit-based recruitment. We have not only received our appointment letters, but we have also resumed work.
“We are excited and happy, permit me to say God bless you and may the Lord continue to protect you. We have our PVCs ready, and we would vote for you.”
Nothing more to add. As lawyers would say: Res ipsa loquitur — the facts speak for themselves.
A well-dressed, joy-filled Daniel is the exact picture Governor Eno had in mind when he promised that employment and empowerment would no longer be by ‘man-know-man.’ You do not need to know anyone. Just go to the portal, apply, and let merit speak.
For years, Akwa Ibom youths were told to bring a note from a godfather. Today, they only need to bring their brains.
That is the difference. That is the reform. And that is why 100% in CBT was never meant to be an automatic appointment, it was meant to be proof that the system can finally see you, without asking who sent you. That the system works for the benefit of all.
James is Senior Special Assistant (Lagos Liaison) to Governor Eno
