The Federal Government has commenced the transparent selection of five new Permanent Secretaries, with the process monitored by anti-corruption agencies and security bodies to ensure credibility and merit.
The Federal Government has commenced a rigorous process to appoint five new Permanent Secretaries, following the approval of President Bola Tinubu.
According to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the appointments will fill two vacancies created by the retirement of Permanent Secretaries from Imo State and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as three zonal slots for the North-Central, North-East, and South-East, arising from the creation of new ministries.
Head of the Civil Service, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, in a statement released on Sunday by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Mrs. Eno Olotu, stressed that the selection exercise was designed to promote “transparency, credibility and merit in line with government’s commitment to good governance.”
She explained that only officers on Grade Level 17, who have spent a minimum of two years on the rank and are not under disciplinary investigation, qualify to participate.
The process, she added, began with the screening of eligible officers by a Committee of Permanent Secretaries, with oversight from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Department of State Services (DSS).
Walson-Jack further disclosed that candidates had been required to complete asset declaration forms with the Code of Conduct Bureau, while ongoing clearances are being obtained from the EFCC, ICPC, and DSS.
Highlighting the next steps, she said the written examination will take place on September 15, followed by an ICT proficiency test on September 17, while the final stage — an oral interview — has been scheduled for September 19.
“The oral interview will be conducted by a panel comprising 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.”
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