Fourteen out of the 65 directors angling to become principals of the nation’s unity schools failed the first round of the qualifying examinations.

Our correspondent had earlier reported that 65 directors took the computer-based test which was held on Tuesday, July 25, 2023.

Nigeria’s 110 unity schools include special schools for the gifted spread across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

The ministry, in an earlier memo, explained that it was conducting the process for the selection of principals in federal unity schools to replace principals that had spent six years and above

Although the next stage is the oral interview, sources in the ministry told our correspondent that the selection would be made based on competency among other requirements.

“The CBT process was recently introduced. The world has gone digital and it is at least expected that as a principal, you should be able to navigate your way through the use of a computer. Competency is what we are looking out for and that is the most important thing,” the source said.

A memo signed by the Director, Human Resources, FME, David Gende which was made available to our correspondent in Abuja and dated July 26, 2023, partly read, “The following successful candidates of the Computer Based Test held on the 25th July 2023 are invited to present themselves for oral interview scheduled as follows, Friday, July 28, 2023; 8:00 a.m at the Permanent Secretary Conference room.”

In the list attached to the memo, it was revealed that a total of 51 directors would be examined, indicating a drop-down from the 65 earlier shortlisted.

Last year, the ministry set a benchmark of 60 per cent for the applicants.

Though it is not yet clear the benchmark for this year, a highly placed ministry source noted that there would be no nepotism in the selection process.

In 2022, a total of 344 directors applied with only 110 shortlisted at the final stage.

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