The Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), it has been confirmed that 19 out of 38 directors shortlisted for the position of Permanent Secretary in the Federal Civil Service have failed the qualifying exam. This news comes after the launch of the selection process in October, initiated to fill permanent secretary vacancies in eight states across Nigeria.

The memo, signed by the Head of Civil Service, Didi Walson-Jack, outlined that officials undergoing disciplinary procedures were not eligible to apply, further emphasizing the high standards set for these important roles. The process, approved by President Bola Tinubu, aims to identify the most capable individuals for leadership positions in the federal government.

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Eno Olotu, the Director of Press at OHCSF, revealed that the first stage of the exam has now concluded, with only 19 candidates passing. These successful individuals will now proceed to the second stage on November 13, 2024, where their proficiency in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for government operations will be assessed.

The selection process is structured in three stages, with each stage designed to ensure that only the most qualified individuals make it to the final round. The final stage, scheduled for November 15, 2024, will see the successful candidates interviewed by a panel of senior bureaucrats and private sector representatives, further narrowing the pool of potential permanent secretaries.