Newsworth | Danjuma Amodu | January 14, 2026
The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), led by Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, OON, mni, has formally launched the process to appoint five Permanent Secretaries to fill existing and impending vacancies in Adamawa, Ogun, Kano, Bayelsa and Enugu States.
The initiative follows presidential approval and is aimed at strengthening state-level civil service leadership and ensuring uninterrupted governance and public service delivery across these regions.
In a circular dated January 12, 2026, the OHCSF announced thatit is inviting qualified Directors on Grade Level 17 within the mainstream Federal Civil Service to apply for consideration as Permanent Secretaries in the five identified states.
The circular stipulates that to qualify, candidates must meet the following strict eligibility criteria as set out under Public Service Rules 2021 (PSR 020811).
. Hold the substantive position of Director on Grade Level 17
. Be verified as a confirmed staff member of the Federal Government of Nigeria via the IPPIS portal
. Have served at least two (2) years in the post of Director
. Not be scheduled to retire on or before 31 December 2027
. Provide valid proof of indigeneship of the state where the vacancy exists
. For female civil servants: indigeneship must be by birth or descent not acquired through marriage
. Have no pending disciplinary case and be certified by their Permanent Secretary as currently free from any disciplinary procedure.
The directives tasked the Permanent Secretaries across ministries and agencies with facilitating the process by submitting:
a) Documentary evidence confirming each candidate’s compliance with eligibility criteria
b) Official list of all eligible Directors on Salary Grade Level 17
c) Confidential and personal files of each eligible candidate
d) Two (2) printed copies and one (1) digital copy (on USB flash drive) of each candidate’s CV, formatted strictly according to the prescribed Microsoft Word template
The Permanent Secretaries are instructed to circulate the circular widely among relevant officers to ensure strict compliance and timely submission.
This recruitment exercise reflects the Federal Government’s renewed commitment to meritocracy, transparency, and institutional strengthening, ensuring that the most competent, experienced, and qualified civil servants are placed in critical leadership roles to drive effective governance at the state level.
