FG Begins Accreditation Process for Appointment of New Permanent Secretaries

The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation has announced the start of the accreditation exercise for the appointment of five new Federal Permanent Secretaries.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Director of Press at the office, Eno Olotu, the exercise was said to have received the approval of President Bola Tinubu.

According to the statement, the process is aimed at filling existing and anticipated vacancies, with eligible candidates drawn from Adamawa, Bayelsa, Enugu, Kano and Ogun states.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, described the accreditation exercise as a crucial first step in a national assignment that will shape the future quality, integrity and capacity of leadership within the Federal Civil Service. She charged members of the Accreditation Committee to carry out their responsibilities with diligence, thoroughness and strict compliance with established rules and procedures, stressing that fairness, transparency and merit must guide the entire process.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Accreditation Committee and Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Olumuyiwa Abel Enitan, reaffirmed the directive of the Head of Service. He emphasised the shared responsibility of committee members to safeguard the integrity of the Civil Service.

Enitan warned that any error or oversight at the accreditation stage could compromise the credibility of the entire selection process, urging members to pay close attention to detail, work collaboratively and adhere strictly to the approved framework to ensure a transparent and credible outcome.

The eligibility requirements for the appointment of Permanent Secretaries are provided in the Public Service Rules 2021. Under the rules, appointments are made from serving Directors in the Federal Civil Service, subject to the recommendation of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and approval by the President. The position attracts a four-year renewable term, with a maximum tenure of eight years, and selections are guided by merit and the principle of Federal Character