Director, Information and Public Relations, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), Eno Olotu, has disclosed that 18 of 29 directors who took part in the rigorous assessment have failed the first-tier written examination for candidates aspiring to become permanent secretaries in the Federal Civil Service.

Olotu, in a statement made available to journalists on Wednesday, explained that a total of 29 candidates participated in the rigorous assessment, with 11 successfully meeting the required standards to proceed to the next stage.

Reaffirming the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation’s dedication to meritocracy, transparency, and fairness in the appointment of permanent secretaries,

Olotu added that the “Outcome of the examination reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring that only the most competent and qualified individuals advance to leadership roles, in line with the vision for an efficient and professional public service.”

“The next phase of the selection process is a proficiency test in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), scheduled for Wednesday, 12th February 2025.

“This stage is a critical component of the permanent secretary examination, designed to assess candidates’ digital competencies, a necessity for leading a technologically-driven and innovative public sector,” Olotu added.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, while reacting to the results, stressed that the “selection process remains competitive, credible, and aligned with the nation’s governance and accountability objectives.”

Walson-Jack reiterated the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s unwavering commitment to upholding the highest standards in leadership selection, ensuring that the public service is led by visionary and competent professionals.