At least 19 of the 38 eligible directors who sat for the Permanent Secretaries’ examination scaled through the first stage.
The successful candidates are qualified to proceed to the second stage of the selection exercise.
The process of appointing new Permanent Secretaries commenced on Monday, November 11, 2024, with a written examination.
Of the 38 directors who took the examination, 19 did not pass.
The Head of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation, Eno Olotu, confirmed the development in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.
She noted that the exercise continued President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to enhancing and sustaining effective public service delivery, led by top-ranking civil servants equipped with essential 21st-century skills.
“The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation has commenced the three-stage assessment for appointing new Permanent Secretaries on Monday, November 11, 2024, with a written examination.
“Nineteen of the 38 eligible directors who sat for the examination have scaled through this first stage and will be participating in the second stage, which will test their competence in using information, communication, and technology (ICT) in conducting government business on Wednesday, November 13, 2024.
“This three-stage exercise follows the established tradition of a transparent and rigorous process, designed to ensure that the very best candidates are appointed,” Olotu stated.
The statement said that successful candidates would then proceed to the final stage, appearing before a carefully constituted panel of top bureaucrats and representatives from the organised private sector on Friday, November 15, 2024.
“This process will culminate in Mr President’s appointment of the best candidates representing the eight states of Abia, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Enugu, Gombe, Kaduna, Kebbi, and Rivers, where vacancies exist.
“The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation congratulates all 38 candidates and appreciates the continued support of the Nigerian public in fostering meritocracy in career progression within the Civil Service,” the statement said.
