FG begins appointment process for new perm secs in 8 states

The Federal Government, through the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), has initiated the process of appointing new Permanent Secretaries to fill vacancies in eight states.

According to a memo signed by the Head of Civil Service, Didi Walson-Jack, on October 7, 2024, the appointment process has been approved by President Bola Tinubu.

The states with available vacancies are Abia, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Enugu, Gombe, Kaduna, Kebbi, and Rivers, and the appointments will follow the Federal Character principle to ensure regional representation.

The memo, addressed to all ministers, directors of agencies, and senior officials, specifies that applicants undergoing disciplinary actions are disqualified from applying for the positions.

“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.”