53 Candidates Progress in Permanent Secretary Selection, Says OHCSF

The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) has announced that 53 out of 70 senior officers who sat for the Permanent Secretary written examination have qualified for the next stage of the selection process.

Eno Olotu, Director of Information and Public Relations at the OHCSF, confirmed the development in a statement on Tuesday, noting that the results highlight the depth of talent within the Federal Civil Service.

She explained that the government remains determined to elevate only the most capable and visionary officers into top leadership roles.

The next stage of the process, an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) proficiency test, is scheduled for today. The assessment is designed to measure candidates’ digital skills—an essential requirement for leadership in modern governance.

Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, reaffirmed the integrity of the process, describing it as credible, competitive, and reform-driven in line with the federal government’s agenda for a professional and accountable civil service.

“The advancement of 53 candidates to the next stage of this rigorous process reflects our deliberate efforts to uphold excellence in public service leadership. We are committed to ensuring that only individuals of proven competence, integrity, and vision emerge to lead the Federal Civil Service at the highest levels,” she said.

Walson-Jack also assured that the exercise would be guided by fairness and transparency.

The federal government is currently seeking to fill five vacant Permanent Secretary positions, including those for the Federal Capital Territory and Imo State, as well as three new rotational slots for the North-Central, North-East, and South-East geopolitical zones.