In a recent development, a substantial number of directors in the federal civil service have failed the qualifying examination necessary for their appointment as permanent secretaries.
The examination, conducted on May 27, 2024, saw 92 directors participate, out of which 40 failed by scoring below 50 percent, The Nation reports.
In addition to those who failed, three directors were absent from the examination, and one was unable to complete it. This examination is a crucial part of the selection process designed to appoint new permanent secretaries to address existing and forthcoming vacancies in various states, including Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Jigawa, Ondo, Zamfara, as well as regions within the South-East and South-South.
The Office of the Head of Civil Service, led by Folashade Yemi-Esan, has been spearheading efforts to fill these vacancies through a stringent selection process. The eligibility criteria for these appointments require candidates to have reached the position of substantive director on salary grade level 17 by January 1, 2022, updated their records on the IPPIS Verification Portal, be from the specified states or geopolitical zones, and not be due for retirement before December 31, 2025. Officers currently undergoing disciplinary procedures are excluded from consideration.
The next phase of the selection procedure, as outlined in a memorandum dated May 28, 2024, from the Office of the Head of Service, will involve an ICT-based assessment. This initiative follows the directives issued by Folashade Yemi-Esan in a circular addressed to prominent government officials, including the Chief of Staff to the President and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
The circular underscored the necessity of strict adherence to the eligibility criteria and the importance of maintaining a clean disciplinary record. As the federal government continues its efforts to address the current and impending vacancies within the federal civil service, the rigorous selection process remains pivotal in ensuring qualified and competent leadership.
