FG Begins Accreditation for Appointment of Five New Permanent Secretaries

The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation has commenced the accreditation exercise for the selection of five new Federal Permanent Secretaries, following the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

The exercise is aimed at filling existing and anticipated vacancies, with eligible candidates drawn from Adamawa, Bayelsa, Enugu, Kano, and Ogun states.

Declaring the accreditation open on Monday, February 2, 2026, in Abuja, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, OON, mni—represented by the Permanent Secretary, Common Services Office, Dr. Danjuma Kalba Usman—described the exercise as a critical foundation for shaping the future leadership, integrity, and capacity of the Federal Civil Service.

Mrs. Walson-Jack charged members of the Accreditation Committee to carry out their responsibilities with diligence, professionalism, and strict adherence to established rules, stressing that fairness, transparency, and merit must guide the entire process.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Accreditation Committee and Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Mr. Olumuyiwa Abel Enitan, echoed the directive, emphasizing the collective responsibility of members to safeguard the integrity of the Civil Service.

He warned that any lapse at the accreditation stage could erode public confidence in the selection process, urging committee members to pay close attention to detail, work collaboratively, and comply fully with the approved guidelines.

The eligibility criteria for the appointment of Permanent Secretaries are clearly outlined in the Public Service Rules, 2021.The development was disclosed in a statement by Mrs. Eno Olotu, Director of Information and Public Relations, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, which reaffirmed the office’s commitment to a transparent, credible, and merit-driven selection process.