Fourteen candidates have successfully scaled the first hurdle in the ongoing selection process for the appointment of new permanent secretaries in the Federal Civil Service.

The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) on Tuesday released the results of the written examination conducted for aspiring Permanent Secretaries, marking the completion of the first phase of the rigorous exercise.

Out of the 25 candidates who sat the initial written examination, 14 progressed to the next stage of the selection process.

Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs Eno Olotu, in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja, said the subsequent phase, an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) proficiency test, is scheduled to hold on Wednesday, 25 February 2026.

The ICT test is designed to assess the digital competencies of the candidates, a critical requirement for leadership in an increasingly technology-driven public service environment.

Commenting on the development, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, affirmed that the process is being conducted with the utmost credibility and competitiveness.

She explained that the exercise aligns with the Federal Government’s reform agenda aimed at repositioning the Civil Service into a professional, accountable and future-ready institution capable of meeting contemporary governance demands.

According to her, the Office remains firmly committed to a transparent and merit-based process that identifies leaders of proven competence, integrity and strategic vision to steer the Federal Civil Service.

Mrs Walson-Jack reassured Nigerians that the entire selection process would continue to be guided by the principles of fairness and integrity, in line with the broader public service renewal agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The current exercise follows an earlier announcement by the OHCSF on the commencement of accreditation for the appointment of five new Federal Permanent Secretaries, following presidential approval.

The accreditation exercise, which began on 2 February 2026 in Abuja, is aimed at filling existing and impending vacancies for candidates from Adamawa, Bayelsa, Enugu, Kano and Ogun states.

Declaring the accreditation open, Mrs Walson-Jack, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Common Services Office, Dr Danjuma Kalba Usman, described the exercise as a foundational step in what she termed a critical national assignment that would shape the quality, integrity and capacity of leadership in the Federal Civil Service.

She charged members of the Accreditation Committee to discharge their duties with diligence and strict adherence to established rules and procedures, emphasising that fairness, transparency and merit must remain paramount throughout the process. (Nigerian Tribune)