Head of Nigerian civil service admits that some directors do not know how to use computers

NIGERIAN civil service bosses have revealed shocking details of how some senior members of the service including directors are not familiar with how to use computers in the course of their daily activities.

Like many other areas of the Nigerian economy, the civil service suffers from under-funding, limited training and under-equipping. According to Folasade Yemi-Esan, the head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the situation is so bad that some directors do not know how to use computers.

Responding to the controversy surrounding the examination and appointment of the officials, Mrs Yemi-Esan pointed out, however, that permanent secretaries face rigorous processes before appointment. She maintained that their selection and appointments were strictly based on merit and there were no malpractices as alleged in some quarters and there were no preferred candidates.

However, Mrs Yemi-Esan did accept that some directors complained about computer-based tests because they were unable to operate computers. She said her office set questions one day to the examinations without the candidates or examiners’ knowledge to avoid any leakages.

Mrs Yemi-Esan added: “If the permanent secretaries who are supposed to lead the digitisation process don’t know how to operate computers, how can we not say that the public service is confused. How are they going to lead by example? That is the first thing.”

On the non-application of civil service rules by some ministries, departments and agencies, Mrs Yemi-Esan urged anyone affected to send a petition to her office. She added: “We don’t know the details of what is happening in parastatals and agencies except our attention is called to it.”