The Federal Government has shortlisted 91 directors for the next round of examination towards becoming permanent secretaries in the civil service.

The 91 directors are those who were successful in the written examination conducted for all applicants in Abuja on Monday.

Examinations had earlier been fixed for June 1, 4, 8 and 9, 2020 to pick 16 new permanent secretaries in the federal civil service.

A memo announcing the 91 successful candidates dated June 3, 2020, was signed by the Director overseeing the office of the Permanent Secretary, I. A. Mairiga, on behalf of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan.

The memo, marked, “HCSF/CMO/AOD/012/VOL. VI/41, read, “Following the conduct of the written examination for the appointment of permanent secretaries in the federal civil service on June 1, 2020, I am directed to invite the following 91 shortlisted candidates to the computer-based test.

“Accordingly, the candidates are to report for the test on Thursday, June 4, 2020 at the CBT Centre, Public Service Institute of Nigeria, Kubwa Expressway, Abuja, by 8am prompt.”

Yemi-Esan had in a May 6, 2020 circular announced dates for the examinations.

According to the circular, after the written examination of June 1, the second stage, which is Information and Communication Technology assessment test, will hold on June 4 and will be opened to only candidates shortlisted from the first stage.

The circular further indicated that those shortlisted from the second stage will take part in the final stage which will be oral interview/interactive session with a broad-based panel of experts and practitioners which will be held on June 8 and 9.

She added that to be eligible, such officials must hail from Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Cross River, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara states and should not be retiring from service earlier than on December 31, 2021.

The last time permanent secretaries were appointed in December 2019 when the Federal Government approved the appointment of nine new permanent secretaries.

Those appointed then were Musa Hassan from Borno State; Ahmed Aliyu from Niger State; Olushola Idowu from Ogun State; Andrew Adejoh representing the North-Central zone; Umar Tijjani representing the North-East zone; Nasir Gwarzo from the North-West zone; Nebeolisa Anako representing the South-East zone; Fashedemi Peter representing the South-West zone; and Evelyn Ngige from the South-South zone of Nigeria.

The nine permanent secretaries were picked from the 48 directors who participated in the final stage of the selection process. (The Punch)

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