ABUJA — The Federal Government has commenced the process of appointing five new permanent secretaries, three of whom will oversee newly established ministries, according to a circular from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF).

The memo, signed by Head of the Civil Service, Didi Walson-Jack, stated that the positions are open to eligible directors on Grade Level 17 in the mainstream Federal Civil Service who have served at least two years at that level and are confirmed staff members on the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).

The appointments will fill vacancies for Imo State and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as three new rotational zonal positions created following the establishment of additional ministries. In line with equitable representation, the initial appointments for these zonal positions will be drawn from the North-Central, North-East, and South-East geo-political zones, following alphabetical order.

Candidates must not be due for retirement on or before December 31, 2026, must provide proof of indigeneship of the state concerned, and have no pending disciplinary cases. For female civil servants, indigeneship cannot be claimed by marriage.

The memo directed serving permanent secretaries to confirm applicants’ eligibility in forwarding letters and submit required documents, including personal files, CVs, and compliance evidence, to the Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Federal Secretariat Complex, Abuja, by 4:00 pm on August 12, 2025.

Since assuming office, President Bola Tinubu has appointed at least 26 permanent secretaries to fill vacancies in the federal civil service eight in November 2023, another eight in June 2024, eight more in December 2024, and two in March 2025.