The Federal Government has started the process of appointing five new Permanent Secretaries after President Bola Tinubu gave his approval.
The vacancies arose from the retirement of Permanent Secretaries from Imo State and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as three zonal openings in the North-Central, North-East, and South-East following the creation of new ministries.
According to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the selection is being carried out to ensure fairness, transparency, and merit in line with the government’s drive for effective governance. Only officers on Grade Level 17 who have spent at least two years on the grade and are free of disciplinary cases are eligible to take part.
The process began with the screening of qualified officers by a Committee of Permanent Secretaries under the supervision of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the Department of State Services. Candidates have also been required to complete asset declaration forms with the Code of Conduct Bureau, while further checks are being carried out by the EFCC, ICPC, and DSS.
The written test for eligible candidates will hold on September 15 at a Federal Government facility, followed by an ICT skills test on September 17. Those who scale through will take part in an oral interview on September 19, which will be handled by a panel made up of serving and retired Permanent Secretaries, former Heads of Service, the Federal Civil Service Commission, and representatives of the private sector. Anti-corruption agencies are also expected to observe the exercise.
The outcome of the process will be forwarded to the President for final approval. Since assuming office, President Tinubu has already appointed 26 Permanent Secretaries to fill vacant positions across the Federal Civil Service. This includes eight appointed in November 2023, another eight in June 2024, eight more in December 2024, and two in March 2025.