NCC promotion: No grievous issues of victimisation, marginalisation – NCSCN (Page 334)

By Sarafina Christopher

The National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN) says its investigation shows there are no grievous issues of victimisation or marginalisation in the promotion exercise conducted recently by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

NCSCN’s Executive Director, Blessing Akinlosotu, communicated this on Saturday in Abuja, while briefing newsmen on the Outcome of NCSCN’s Independent Enquires into Controversies Surrounding the 2025 Staff Promotion Examination/Exercise Conducted by the NCC and Performance of the New Leadership.

NCSCN is the statutory and coordinating body for about 500 different Civil Society Associations and Non-Governmental Organisations in Nigeria.

NCSCN serves as conscience of the citizenry, voice of the masses and advocate of the people, partnering in progress with both government and non-state establishments where and when necessary.

Akinlosotu said the civil society and media spaces were inundated with recurring petitions concerning the recently conducted 2025 Promotional Examination / Exercise for Staff of NCC, under the leadership of the Executive Vice Chairman, Aminu Maida.

According to him, there is room for amicable resolution of all the contending issues.

“This matter has been dragged for too long and overheated; hence, the need to address the issues collectively in public, once and for all, under one roof, as a community.

“It is fact that no human endeavour can be marked with absolute perfection; hence, NCSCN observed some gaps that require improvement and administrative reconsideration; however, there were no grievous issues of victimisation or deliberate marginalisation found.

“From our enquiries, almost all of the complaints are completely based on unfortunate and unavoidable circumstances resulting from institutional framework and natural factors.’’

He listed some of the grievances of the affected staff as: “Alleged Noncompliance with Sections 14(3) and 14(4) of the Nigerian Constitution which pertains to Federal Character and Equitable Representation in Public Institutions.

“Gross underrepresentation or outright exclusion of certain states and zones, while others purportedly overrepresented, leading to unconstitutional imbalance, undermining national unity and equity.

“Marginalisation and injustice to qualified staff and conduct of examination in most inhuman conditions and during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and the Christian fasting season of Lent.

“Writing of exams outside the normal working hours from 9.00 am on March 6 to 4.00 am the following day, March 7 and unwarranted targeting of staff for demotion or dismissal.”

Akinlosotu said that specifically, allegations were made over promotion from Assistant Director to Deputy Director, claiming 24 staff members were qualified, but only nine were promoted.

“That eight out of the nine staff promoted were from the Northern Region of the country and only one from the Southern Region (South-West), in spite of the fact that there were candidates from other geopolitical zones who scored above the 60 per cent pass-mark stipulated in the 2021 Public Service Rules.

“The South-South and South-East geopolitical regions were alleged to be deliberately omitted and short-changed in the promotion exercise.

“The petitioners also claimed that for promotion from Deputy Director to Director, four staff members were eligible, but only two were promoted; one staff from the South-South and one from the North-East Region.

“The exercise excluded two candidates — one from the North-West and one from the North-East, in spite of the fact that there were vacancies in their respective geopolitical zones and they scored above the 60 per cent pass-mark stipulated in the 2021 Public Service Rules.

“They alleged that the North-West was omitted and short-changed in the promotion exercise; they further criticised the promotions of Assistant Directors and Principal Managers, claiming these also failed to adhere to civil service regulations.”

Akinlosotu said independent findings of NCSCN team showed that the promotion exams were conducted for all cadres of staff eligible for promotion in the commission, without exclusion of anyone.

He said the findings showed that the exercise was conducted in line with the Public Service Rules, the commission’s organisational structure and manpower plan with each cadre having a predetermined number of vacancies conforming to the number of personnel the commission could accommodate at each level.

“Some members of staff actually passed the exams and were well qualified but suffered setback as result of unavailability of enough vacancies to accommodate all.

“That no laws were broken during the exercise, instead the promotion process followed clear and objective scoring framework, which was communicated to all participants ahead of the exams.

“All participants have received performance summaries to help them prepare for future exercises and members of staff were duly encouraged to reach out to the Human Capital Department to voice any concerns for records purposes and necessary action.’’

He said the finding revealed that the exercise was even proven to have shown enhanced professionalism towards achieving more competent and productive workforce for the commission.

The executive director said that the Department of Human Capacity, through its Director, had already rendered unreserved apologies to participants over areas of technical hitches and logistical failures.

“We enjoin that this matter be laid to total rest; going forward, let us always engage properly before going public on sensitive national issues.

“NCSCN, once again, appeals to our most valued partners, being the press, to desist from over sensationalism and adhere to professional conduct of investigative journalism at all times.

“The media carries the potency to build or destroy an institution or nation, hence, need to exercise caution and self-restraint in the line of duty.

“Finally, to the leadership of NCC, we appeal that no affected staff should be dismissed over this sad development.

“We appeal that the spirit of forgiveness and tolerance should prevail; we advise that protesting staff be given a second chance to correct whatever wrong impression they created within the commission,’’ Akinlosotu said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

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NCC promotion: No grievous issues of victimisation, marginalisation – NCSCN (Page 334)