The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) has announced that 53 candidates have advanced to the next stage of the ongoing recruitment exercise for federal permanent secretaries, where they will undergo an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) proficiency test.

According to a statement by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Eno Olotu, on Tuesday, the shortlisted candidates were selected from 70 who participated in the written examination. The ICT stage, scheduled for today, is intended to assess candidates’ digital competencies, which the OHCSF described as critical for effective leadership in modern governance.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, said the emphasis on ICT skills reflects the government’s resolve to strengthen the Federal Civil Service with leaders who can operate effectively in a technology-driven environment.

“The advancement of 53 candidates to the next stage of this rigorous process reflects our deliberate efforts to uphold excellence in public service leadership. We are committed to ensuring that only individuals of proven competence, integrity, and vision emerge to lead the Federal Civil Service at the highest levels,” she stated.

Walson-Jack added that the selection exercise is being conducted with credibility and fairness, in line with the federal government’s wider reform agenda aimed at building a professional, accountable, and future-ready public service.

The federal government is seeking to appoint five new permanent secretaries: one each for the Federal Capital Territory Administration and Imo State, as well as three for the newly created rotational zonal positions covering the North-Central, North-East, and South-East geopolitical zones.

The OHCSF noted that the inclusion of an ICT-based assessment in the process underscores the administration’s focus on innovation and efficiency in public sector leadership. (The Guardian)