The Federal Government has commenced the accreditation exercise for the selection of five new Federal Permanent Secretaries, marking a key stage in the renewal of top administrative leadership within the Federal Civil Service.
The development was announced on Tuesday by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) in a statement signed by its Director of Press, Eno Olotu, following the approval of President Bola Tinubu.
According to the statement, the exercise is intended to fill existing and anticipated vacancies at the Permanent Secretary level, 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 foundational step in what she called a critical national assignment.
“This process will determine the future quality, integrity, and capacity of leadership in the Federal Civil Service,” Walson-Jack said.
She charged members of the Accreditation Committee to carry out their responsibilities with utmost diligence, thoroughness, and strict adherence to established rules and procedures, stressing that fairness, transparency, and merit must guide the entire exercise.
Speaking during the exercise, the Chairman of the Accreditation Committee and Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Mr Olumuyiwa Abel Enitan, echoed the Head of Service’s directive, emphasising the shared responsibility of committee members to protect the integrity of the Civil Service.
Enitan cautioned that any lapse or error at the accreditation stage could undermine the credibility of the entire selection process, urging members to pay close attention to detail, work collaboratively, and comply strictly with the approved framework.
“This stage is critical. Any compromise here could cast doubt on the outcome of the entire process,” he said.
The eligibility criteria for the appointment of Permanent Secretaries are clearly outlined in the Public Service Rules (PSR) 2021. Under the rules, appointments are made from among serving Directors in the Federal Civil Service, based strictly on merit and professional competence.
Permanent Secretaries are appointed for a four-year term, renewable once for a maximum of eight years, subject to satisfactory performance. The process is overseen by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, with final approval by the President.
Permanent Secretaries serve as the accounting officers of federal ministries, providing policy continuity, institutional memory, and administrative leadership across political transitions.
The ongoing accreditation exercise comes amid broader efforts by the Tinubu administration to strengthen efficiency, accountability, and professionalism in the public service, positioning the appointment of new Permanent Secretaries as a crucial step in reinforcing governance and service delivery at the highest levels of the federal bureaucracy.
