THE Federal Government has officially commenced a rigorous, multi-phase selection process to appoint five new Permanent Secretaries into the Federal Civil Service, following recent retirements and the creation of new ministerial portfolios.
The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) confirmed the development in a statement signed by Mrs. Eno Olotu, Director of Information and Public Relations made available to News Point Nigeria, on Sunday.
According to the statement, the recruitment exercise was approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and will fill vacancies arising from the recent retirement of Permanent Secretaries from Imo State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as well as three additional slots allocated to the North-Central, North-East, and South-East geopolitical zones due to the expansion of the federal cabinet.
Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, assured Nigerians that the process is designed to be transparent, credible, and strictly merit-based.
“Only qualified and competent officers are being considered,” Walson-Jack said. “This is part of President Tinubu’s drive to strengthen governance, promote excellence in leadership, and deliver efficient public service to Nigerians.”
The exercise began with a call for applications from Grade Level 17 officers in the mainstream civil service who have spent a minimum of two years at that level. Candidates were required to obtain clearance from their respective ministries, confirming they are not facing any disciplinary action, before their names were forwarded to the OHCSF.
Walson-Jack disclosed that the first phase of screening, which involved verification of records and credentials — has been completed under the supervision of 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).
“This level of external oversight underscores our commitment to integrity and fairness,” she noted.
With the initial verification concluded, the process is moving to its second stage, a written examination scheduled for Monday, September 15, 2025 at a secured federal government facility.
The exams will be set and marked by a panel of serving and retired Permanent Secretaries to guarantee impartiality.
Successful candidates will then proceed to an ICT proficiency assessment on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, before facing a final oral interview on Friday, September 19, 2025.
“The final phase will involve a distinguished panel, including the Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission and representatives of various stakeholders,” Walson-Jack explained.
After all stages are completed, the OHCSF will compile a merit list of successful candidates for President Tinubu’s consideration and final approval.
Walson-Jack stressed that this merit-driven process is essential to sustain a culture of professionalism and excellence in the civil service.
“Our goal is to produce a crop of Permanent Secretaries who will strengthen governance, drive national development, and improve service delivery to Nigerians,” she said.