A total of 19 directors out of 38 shortlisted for the position of permanent secretaries in the Federal Civil Service have failed the qualifying examination.

A memo signed by Dr Emmanuel Meribole on behalf of the examination committee, and published by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) on Tuesday, said the exams were written on Monday, November 11, 2024.

The Federal Government in October through the OHCSF initiated the process of selecting new permanent secretaries to fill vacancies in eight states.

Providing an update on the ongoing process, the Director of Press at OHCSF, Eno Olotu, stated, “Of the 38 eligible directors who sat for the exam, 19 have passed the first stage and will move on to the second stage, which will assess their competency in using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in government operations on Wednesday, November 13, 2024.”

Olotu emphasized that the recruitment process follows a rigorous, three-stage procedure designed to ensure only the most qualified candidates are selected.

Successful candidates from the second stage will proceed to the final stage on Friday, November 15, 2024, where they will face a panel of top bureaucrats and private sector representatives.