The Federal Government, through the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, has commenced the process of appointing new Permanent Secretaries to fill vacancies in eight states.
A memo from the OHCSF, signed by the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, on October 7, 2024, indicated that officials currently undergoing disciplinary procedures were barred from applying for the positions of Permanent Secretaries. The memo stated that the appointment process had been approved by President Bola Tinubu.
According to the memo, which was addressed to all ministers, directors of agencies, and other senior officials, eligible applicants must be from Abia, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Enugu, Gombe, Kaduna, Kebbi, and Rivers states, to uphold the Federal Character principle.
“Following the approval of Mr. President, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation is commencing the process of appointing Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Civil Service for existing and impending vacancies in Abia, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Enugu, Gombe, Kaduna, Kebbi, and Rivers states, where Permanent Secretaries have retired or are expected to retire by December 24, 2024.
“Consequently, directors in the mainstream federal civil service who meet the set criteria are eligible to participate in the exercise,” the memo stated.
The memo outlined the eligibility criteria, noting that applicants“must have attained the position of substantive Director on Salary Grade Level 17 on or before 1st January 2022; must have updated their records on the IPPIS verification portal; must be indigenes of the states listed in paragraph one above; and must have not less than one year in service by 18th November 2024, when the process of appointing Permanent Secretaries will be completed.”
It further emphasised that “officers undergoing disciplinary procedures are excluded from the exercise.” The memo specified that “the Permanent Secretaries are required to clearly state in the forwarding letter that the officers who have applied are not under any disciplinary procedures.”
