Permanent Secretary Appointment: Fed Govt Shortlists 11 Top Directors

The Federal Government has shortlisted 11 directors for the final stage of the Permanent Secretary qualifying examination, according to a memo from the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF).

The memo, signed by Dr. Emmanuel Meribole on behalf of the examination committee, stated: The under-listed eleven (11) candidates are invited to the oral interview stage of the process for the appointment of Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Civil Service, following their successful performance in Stages I and II of the exercise.”

Earlier reports in October indicated that the Federal Government, through the OHCSF, had begun the process of appointing new Permanent Secretaries to fill vacancies in eight states. A separate memo, signed by the Head of Civil Service, Didi Walson-Jack, on October 7, 2024, emphasized that directors currently under disciplinary investigation were ineligible for the appointment.

The appointment process has received approval from President Bola Tinubu. In total, 38 directors participated in the initial stage of the examination, with 19 advancing to the second stage. Of those, 11 directors qualified for the final stage.

President Tinubu is expected to announce the successful candidates at the conclusion of the recruitment process.