By Kolawole Omotola
The Lagos State Government has commenced its 2026 promotion exercise targeting no fewer than 5,258 civil servants across various cadres in the public service.
The exercise covers officers on Grade Levels 01 to 05 in the mainstream civil service, as well as those on Grade Levels 01 to 16 in parastatal organisations, reflecting a broad effort to enhance career progression within the state workforce.
As part of ongoing reforms, the government has introduced a new assessment framework for senior officers. This includes the Structured Evaluation Assessment Programme (SEAP), a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to evaluate officers on Grade Levels 12 to 16 through written examinations and computer-based tests.
For junior officers, the exercise features the Revised Structured Training Programme (RSTP), which is aimed at strengthening capacity and preparing participants for higher responsibilities in service.
Officials said the promotion process is designed to ensure that advancement is based on merit, competence, and measurable performance, in line with global best practices in public administration.
The exercise is currently taking place at designated centres, including the Public Service Staff Development Centre in Magodo and the Women Development Centre in Agege. While 388 officers are undergoing the SEAP assessments, about 4,870 others are participating in the structured training programme.
Speaking during a monitoring visit, the Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Afolabi Ayantayo, praised the orderly conduct of participants and the smooth coordination of the exercise. He urged officers to approach the process with diligence and a strong sense of responsibility.
Ayantayo noted that the introduction of SEAP would further strengthen the state’s commitment to building a responsive and efficient public service, where promotions are tied to demonstrable skills and knowledge.
Also assessing the exercise, the Permanent Secretary, Olubusola Abidakun, expressed satisfaction with the level of organisation and preparedness, reaffirming the ministry’s dedication to sustained reforms.
The promotion exercise is expected to run through the week and into next week, featuring a combination of training sessions and assessments aimed at equipping officers for higher roles within the civil service.
