The Adamawa State Government has commenced a Computer-Based Test (CBT) for the recruitment of 5,000 post-primary school teachers across the state, marking a significant step in its commitment to reform the education sector and promote merit-driven employment.
The recruitment exercise, supervised by the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, is being conducted in phases across the state’s three senatorial zones, beginning with the Central Zone. The first phase took place at Ramat Government College, Yola, where hundreds of applicants participated in the test.
Speaking during an inspection of one of the centres, the Commissioner for Education, Garba Pella, expressed satisfaction with the process, describing it as transparent, credible, and an important milestone in the state’s drive to professionalize teaching and ensure quality education delivery.
“This is the first time in the history of Adamawa State that job applicants are required to apply, write an examination, undergo interviews, and pass through screening before employment,” Pella said. “Gone are the days when employment letters were issued based on personal connections. This process is purely merit-driven.”
He explained that the introduction of the CBT system was part of the government’s broader education reform strategy, aimed at ensuring that only qualified and competent teachers are recruited to serve in public schools.
The commissioner further revealed that independent consultants were engaged to design and manage the recruitment process in order to uphold transparency and eliminate any form of favoritism. According to him, the move reflects the administration’s resolve to strengthen accountability in the education system and create a more effective and equitable recruitment process.
“Our goal is to ensure that every teacher employed under this process earns their place based on merit and competence. Education is the foundation of development, and we must build it with the right people,” he added.
Also speaking, Nuhu Abdullahi, a software developer with Satlink Consultant Services, the firm managing the CBT platform, disclosed that over 18,000 candidates registered for the examination. He explained that the test was designed to assess candidates’ subject knowledge, problem-solving ability, and digital literacy.
Abdullahi noted that the use of technology in the process would not only enhance credibility but also minimize human error and prevent manipulation of results. He commended the state government for embracing innovation in recruitment, saying the initiative aligns with global best practices in education management.
Applicants who participated in the first phase of the test lauded the government for introducing a fair and transparent selection process. Some described the exercise as a departure from previous recruitment practices that were often marred by favoritism and irregularities.
A candidate, Maryam Hassan, who took the test in Yola, said she was pleased with the process. “It was well-organized and fair. Everyone wrote at the same time and under the same conditions. This gives me confidence that only those who perform well will be considered,” she said.
Another applicant, Ibrahim Mohammed, said the initiative was encouraging and expressed optimism that it would help restore public confidence in government recruitment processes.
The Commissioner reiterated that the recruitment of qualified teachers was one of the key priorities of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri’s administration, aimed at improving learning outcomes and addressing the shortage of teachers across secondary schools in the state.
He assured that the exercise would continue in the Northern and Southern zones in the coming days, and successful candidates from the CBT phase would proceed to oral interviews and document verification before final selection.
The government, he added, has also set up a monitoring team to ensure that the process remains fair, credible, and devoid of political interference.
Observers have commended the state’s approach, noting that the CBT-based recruitment system could serve as a model for other states in the federation seeking to sanitize their education employment processes.
By integrating technology and independent oversight into the recruitment of teachers, the Adamawa State Government appears poised to lay a strong foundation for sustainable educational development — one that values merit, professionalism, and transparency above all else.
