Only 11 out of the 19 directors who sat for the written interview of the permanent secretaries? qualifying examination were shortlisted for the final stage, a memo obtained from the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation has revealed.

?The under-listed eleven (11) candidates are invited to the oral interview stage of the process for the appointment of Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Civil Service, following their successful performance in Stages I and Il of the exercise,? the memo signed by Dr. Emmanuel Meribole on behalf of the exam committee said.

The PUNCH reported exclusively in October that the Federal Government, through the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, has commenced the process of appointing new permanent secretaries to fill vacancies in eight states.

A memo from the OHCSF, signed by the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, on October 7, 2024, indicated that officials currently undergoing disciplinary procedures were barred from applying for the positions of permanent secretaries.

The memo stated that the appointment process had been approved by President Bola Tinubu.

Thirty-eight directors sat in the first stage while 19 directors passed; out of the 19 directors who sat in the second stage, 11 passed and now advanced to the third stage.

President Tinubu is expected to announce the new permanent secretaries at the end of the recruitment exercise. (The PUNCH)