The Federal Government has commenced the accreditation process for the appointment of five new Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Civil Service.
The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) announced the development on Tuesday in a statement issued by its Director of Press, Eno Olotu, following the approval of President Bola Tinubu.
According to the statement, the exercise is aimed at filling existing and anticipated vacancies, with eligible candidates drawn from Adamawa, Bayelsa, Enugu, Kano and Ogun states, in line with the Federal Character principle.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, described the accreditation as a critical first step in a national assignment that will shape the future quality, integrity and capacity of the leadership of 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 process.
The Chairman of the Accreditation Committee and Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Education, Mr Olumuyiwa Abel Enitan, reaffirmed the directive, noting that the credibility of the entire selection process depends on the integrity of the accreditation stage. He warned that any lapse could undermine public confidence in the system.
Eligibility for appointment as Permanent Secretary is governed by the Public Service Rules 2021, which provide that appointments are made from serving Directors, subject to presidential approval. Permanent Secretaries serve a four-year renewable term, with a maximum tenure of eight years.
