40 Directors Fail Permanent Secretary Exam, ICT-Based Assessment to Follow

In a recent examination for the position of permanent secretaries, 40 out of 92 directors scored below the average pass mark of 50 percent. The qualifying examination, held on Monday, revealed a significant number of failures, posing a challenge to the federal government’s efforts to fill vacancies in the civil service.

A memorandum from the Office of the Head of Service, dated May 28, 2024, disclosed that the next phase of the selection process would involve an ICT-based assessment. The report also mentioned that three directors were absent, and one could not complete the exam.

Despite the setbacks, the federal government, through the Office of the Head of Civil Service, is determined to address the vacancies in various regions, including South-South, South-East, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Jigawa, Ondo, and Zamfara.

The Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Folashade Yemi-Esan, communicated the examination details to the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, in a circular dated April 19, 2024. The circular outlined eligibility criteria, emphasizing that only directors who achieved substantive director status by January 1, 2022, are eligible for consideration.

The memorandum, referenced as “HCSF/CMO/AOD/012/IX/24,” stressed the importance of updating records on the IPPIS Verification Portal and maintaining a clean disciplinary record. It stated: “Following the approval of Mr. President, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation is initiating the process for appointing Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Civil Service for current and anticipated vacancies in Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Jigawa, Ondo, Zamfara states, South-East, and South-South geo-political zones, where current Permanent Secretaries have retired or will retire between April and September 2024.”

Eligibility criteria also include reaching the position of substantive Director on Salary Grade Level 17 by January 1, 2022, being from the specified states or geopolitical zones, and not retiring before December 31, 2025. Directors undergoing disciplinary procedures are excluded from the selection process.