They asked staff members to read ASCON refresher course materials and TETfund guidelines, going out of context of the material mentioned above.
Some members of staff of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund have alleged infractions in the conduct of promotion examinations for its workers.
According to the staff members who spoke on condition of anonymity, the TETFund Board of Trustees cancelled the promotion examinations usually conducted by the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) following some unanimous petitions.
From internal memos obtained by SaharaReporters, the body had stated that the examinations were to be conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
The staff members further stated that the board of trustees had changed the examination pass mark of the Public Service rule from 50% to 70%, oral interview from 30% to 20% and the Annual Performance Evaluation Report (APER) from 20% to 10%.
The aggrieved persons stated that in one of the examinations conducted by JAMB, there was no refresher course and that the results which were allegedly manipulated, were released after 3 hours to those concerned through SMS.
They further stated that some petitions were sent to Tetfund, questioning the integrity of the new process but the body forged ahead with the oral interview.
One of them told SaharaReporters, “There are infractions in TETFund, particularly regarding the promotion examination. The board of trustees cancelled promotion examinations conducted by ASCON with a unanimous petition.
“They asked staff members to read ASCON refresher course materials and TETfund guidelines, going out of context of the material mentioned above.
“They changed the pass mark of Public Service rules examination from 50% to 70%, oral interview from 30% to 20% and APER from 20% to 10%.
“They changed the minimum percentage of taking examinations from 35% to 45%. They said there was no vacancy from Officer 1 to Assistant Chief, and they still employed people in the same position, 98 new staff members to fill the same gap when the examination process was still ongoing.
“After the cancellation of the examination conducted by the ASCON, they conducted another CBT examination through JAMB without any refresher course and the results were released after 3 hours. The results were tampered with and released to those concerned through SMS.
“Some petitions came into the Fund but they still went ahead with oral interview process at Treasures Suite and Conferences Plot 66, 1st Avenue by Shehu Shagari Way, CBD, Abuja near Federal High Court
“The Executive Secretary and the Management were in the same venue for the oral interview. What we want is that the oral interview should be stopped and let the body go back to the examination that was conducted by the ASCON.”
Another staff member noted, ”The Executive Secretary, Prof. Suleiman Elias Bogoro has been thoroughly misinformed for him to be taking such decisions and these are the people that are controlling him: Director, Human Resources and General Administration: Abubakar Adamu assisted by Mrs Catherine Onuaha; Dauda Shuaibu; Moronfolu Aramide and Ichewo Nsirim. They even participated in the oral interview.
”Moreso, they added 1 mark to favour 17 members of staff and smuggled in some members of staff that didn't even score up to the pass mark of 45 marks.”
One of the internal memos sent by the Human Resource & General Administration unit of the body on the 7th of September and addressed to participants of the 2021 Senior Staff Promotion, reads:
“Sequel to the myriads of complaints received against the conduct of the 2021 Senior Staff Promotion Written Examination organized by the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), the Board of Trustees at its 85 Meeting held an 18 August 2021 approved the cancellation of the Written Examination.
Workers Of Nigeria's Tertiary Education Trust Fund Agency Allege Corruption, Infractions In Promotion Exami... by Sahara Reporters on Scribd
“In furtherance to the cancellation, the Board also approved a review of the promotion criteria as follows: Weighing of the promotion components: Written examination 70%, Oral interview 20%, APER 10%
”That the minimum pass mark is 70%. That only staff members who score 45% and above in the written examination should proceed for an Oral Interview, and iv. That the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) be engaged to conduct the written test (Computer Based Test).
“Consequently, the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has been engaged to conduct the 2021 senior staff promotion examination which would be a Computer-Based Test as follows: Thursday 30 September 2021 JAMB CBT Centre, Bwari.
”You are to note that there will be no refresher course, therefore, the refresher course materials from the earlier refresher course conducted by ASCON would be used to set the questions for the CIT In addition to the refresher materials, you are also required to familiarize yourselves with the TETFund intervention guidelines and the full operations of the Fund.
”It is pertinent to state that the Management is committed to ensuring a credible and rancour free exercise. However, further disrespect to the integrity of the Fund and members of Management would be met with disciplinary action. This is for your information and compliance, please.”
Another memo issued on the 21st of October stated, “I am directed to inform you that Management has approved the conduct of the 2021 Senior Staff Promotion oral interview which is slated as follows: Date: Monday 1st — Wednesday 3rd of November 2021. Time: 10 am Daily. Venue: To be communicated in due course.
”The exercise is scheduled to take place in batches as shown in the attached list TETFCOSS AND NOT seniority. This is for your information and compliance, please.”