President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the commencement of a new appointment process for five Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Civil Service, signaling a continued drive to strengthen public administration and improve service delivery across Nigeria.
According to a statement issued by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, through the Director of Information and Public Relations, Mrs. Eno Olotu, the exercise is designed to promote transparency, merit, and professionalism in line with the government’s commitment to good governance.
Vacancies Across States and Zones
The five openings comprise two positions left vacant following the recent retirement of Permanent Secretaries from Imo State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). In addition, three new zonal vacancies have emerged in the North-Central, North-East, and South-East geopolitical zones due to the creation of new ministries under Tinubu’s administration.
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Strict Eligibility Criteria
Only officers on Grade Level 17 who have spent at least two years at that rank and are free from disciplinary issues are eligible to apply. Prospective candidates must be cleared by their supervising Permanent Secretaries and must have completed asset declaration forms with the Code of Conduct Bureau.
Multi-Stage Selection Process
The recruitment process began with the compilation and screening of eligible officers by a committee of serving Permanent Secretaries, closely monitored by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Department of State Services (DSS). Clearances are also being obtained from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other anti-graft bodies to ensure integrity.
The next stage is a written examination scheduled for September 15, followed by an ICT proficiency test on September 17. The final stage — an oral interview on September 19 — will be conducted by a high-level panel comprising serving and retired Permanent Secretaries, former Heads of Service, the Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, and private sector representatives.
Reinforcing Service Excellence
Mrs. Walson-Jack emphasized that anti-corruption agencies would observe all stages of the process to ensure fairness. Recommendations from the selection process will then be forwarded to President Tinubu for final approval.
This latest exercise follows a string of recent appointments: eight new Permanent Secretaries were sworn in November 2023, another eight in June 2024, eight more in December 2024, and two in March 2025. The ongoing process reflects the administration’s resolve to build institutional capacity, enhance professionalism, and ensure better service delivery to Nigerians.
