The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation has begun the process of appointing five Permanent Secretaries, following the approval of President Bola Tinubu.
The positions include two vacancies created by the recent retirement of Permanent Secretaries from Imo State and the Federal Capital Territory, and three zonal vacancies for North-Central, North-East and South-East, arising from the creation of new ministries.
The Head of Civil Service, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, in a statement issued on Sunday by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Mrs Eno Olotu, said that the process was designed to ensure transparency, credibility and merit in line with the government’s commitment to good governance.
According to her, only qualified officers on Grade Level 17 who have spent at least two years on the grade and have been cleared by their Permanent Secretaries as not facing disciplinary action are eligible.
She said the exercise began with the compilation and screening of eligible officers by a Committee of Permanent Secretaries, monitored by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the Department of State Services.
She stated that candidates also completed asset declaration forms with the Code of Conduct Bureau, while clearances from EFCC, ICPC and DSS are ongoing.
Walson-Jack said the written examination, the next stage of the process, will be held on September 15 at a Federal Government facility, while successful candidates will proceed to an ICT proficiency test on September 17.
She added that the final stage, an oral interview, will be held on September 19 and will be conducted by a panel of serving and retired Permanent Secretaries, former Heads of Service, the Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission and representatives of the private sector.
She said, “Anti-corruption agencies will also observe the process. The final recommendations will be submitted to the President for approval.”
According to the HOS, the exercise underscores the government’s commitment to professionalism, institutional capacity and improved service delivery in the civil service.
Since coming into office, President Bola Tinubu has appointed no fewer than 26 permanent secretaries to fill existing vacancies in the federal civil service.
In November 2023, the President swore in eight new permanent secretaries. Another eight were sworn in in June 2024.
In December 2024, a total of eight new permanent secretaries were appointed from the pool of qualified directors in the Federal Civil Service, while two new permanent secretaries were appointed in March 2025.
