Thousands of eligible federal civil servants preparing to move up the career ladder now have a clearer picture of when and where they will sit for the 2026 Directorate-Level Promotion Examination.
The Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) has released the dates and designated examination centres for this year’s promotion exercise, with candidates across the country expected to begin preparations for the three-day examination.
According to a circular dated September 8, 2026, and referenced FC.6243/GOV/2026/VOL.III/22, the examination will be conducted in two phases to accommodate candidates participating in the local and foreign components of the exercise.
The commission’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Ibraheem Zakariyya, announced the schedule in a statement issued in Abuja.
When will the FCSC promotion examination hold?
The local phase of the 2026 Directorate-Level Promotion Examination will run from Monday, September 21, to Wednesday, September 23, 2026.
The examination will cover the applicable grade levels and take place across selected centres representing Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, alongside the Federal Capital Territory.
Where will candidates write the examination?
The FCSC has designated the following cities as examination centres:
- North-Central: Lafia, Nasarawa State
- North-West: Kaduna, Kaduna State
- North-East: Bauchi, Bauchi State
- South-South: Port Harcourt, Rivers State
- South-West: Ibadan, Oyo State
- South-East: Enugu, Enugu State
- Federal Capital Territory: Abuja
Abuja will also host candidates writing the examination at the commission’s headquarters.
FCSC issues warning to candidates
With the examination dates now fixed, the commission has urged candidates to pay close attention to the information contained on their examination identity cards.
Candidates are expected to arrive at their assigned centres by 7:00 a.m. on the date indicated on their examination cards.
The FCSC specifically warned candidates against going to a centre different from the one assigned to them.
According to the commission, candidates will only be permitted to take the examination at the venue stated on their identity cards.
Civil servants advised to prepare early
The commission also encouraged all accredited candidates to verify their examination details ahead of the exercise and make adequate preparations.
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It advised candidates to arrive early at their designated centres to avoid delays or other difficulties that could interfere with their participation.
With the promotion examination serving as an important step in the career progression of eligible officers, candidates have been advised to treat the schedule and examination-centre information on their identity cards as final and make the necessary arrangements ahead of September 21.