News
OHCSF Opens Process for Appointment of Five Permanent Secretaries
Joel Ajayi
The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) has commenced the appointment process for five new Permanent Secretaries, following the approval of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
In a statement signed on Monday in Abuja by the Director, Information and Public Relations Mrs. Eno Olotu reveals that the process seeks to fill five vacant positions: two arising from the recent retirement of Permanent Secretaries from Imo State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and three newly created rotational zonal vacancies due to the establishment of additional Ministries. These zonal vacancies cover the North-Central, North-East, and South-East geopolitical zones.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, OON, mni, emphasised that the process has been carefully structured to ensure transparency, credibility, and merit, in line with the Administration’s commitment to good governance. Only qualified and competent officers are being considered.
The exercise commenced with the call for applications from eligible officers on Grade Level 17 in the mainstream Federal Civil Service, who had spent at least two (2) years on the grade. Their respective Permanent Secretaries cleared them as not being under any disciplinary action before forwarding their names.
Thereafter, the OHCSF compiled the list of eligible officers, who were subjected to a verification and screening exercise conducted by a Committee of Permanent Secretaries, with monitoring by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Department of State Services (DSS). Candidates also completed asset declaration forms with the Code of Conduct Bureau, while anti-corruption clearances from the EFCC, ICPC, and DSS are ongoing.
The initial screening exercise has been successfully concluded, and the selection process is now advancing to the next phase—the written examination—which is scheduled to commence on Monday, 15th September 2025. Candidates will sit for the examination at a secure Federal Government facility. The setting and marking of the examination will be supervised by a panel comprising serving and retired Permanent Secretaries, with oversight provided by observers from a civil society organisation, the organised private sector, and other relevant stakeholders.
Candidates who are successful in the written examination will proceed to the ICT proficiency assessment, which will take place on Wednesday, 17th September 2025.
The final phase of the process—a comprehensive oral interview—is scheduled for Friday, 19th September 2025. This will be conducted by a distinguished panel consisting of the Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, serving and retired Permanent Secretaries, former Heads of the Civil Service of the Federation, and representatives from the private sector and a professional body. The Anti – Corruption Agencies will also observe this stage to ensure integrity and transparency.
The final recommendations based on overall performance and merit, will be submitted to the President for his consideration and approval.
Mrs. Walson-Jack reiterated that the exercise reflects the Federal Government’s firm commitment to strengthening institutional capacity, promoting professionalism, and ensuring a transparent and merit-based public service leadership. This initiative underscores the Administration’s dedication to improving service delivery and driving national development.
Foreign news
Algeria’s Glorious Revolution: Embassy Marks 72nd Anniversary in Abuja
Joel Ajayi
The Embassy of Algeria in Nigeria has commemorated the 72nd anniversary of the country’s Glorious Revolution of November 1, 1954, with a reception in Abuja, highlighting Algeria’s liberation struggle and strengthening diplomatic relations with Nigeria.
The event, held on November 9, 2026, at Continental Suites Hotel, attracted prominent personalities, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Tajudeen Abbas, members of the Federal Government, senior government officials, heads of diplomatic missions and other friends of Algeria.
Speaking at the reception, Algeria’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Hocine Mezoued, welcomed guests and paid tribute to the country’s freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives during the struggle for independence.
He described the November 1, 1954 revolution as the foundation of modern Algeria, noting that the sacrifices of the nation’s martyrs made it possible for the country to reclaim its sovereignty.
On Algeria’s development agenda, Mezoued said President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s administration had continued to pursue economic reforms, diversification and national development under its New Algeria vision.
He noted that the country was recording progress in non-hydrocarbon exports, while improvements in the business environment had boosted investor confidence and attracted significant foreign investments.
On foreign policy, the ambassador reaffirmed Algeria’s commitment to non-interference, respect for national sovereignty, peaceful conflict resolution and the right of peoples to self-determination.
Addressing security challenges in the Sahel, he stressed that lasting peace could not be achieved through military measures alone, insisting that economic development, inclusive dialogue and peaceful resolution of disputes remained essential.
Turning to Nigeria-Algeria relations, Mezoued described the partnership as one founded on shared values and the commitment of both countries’ leaders to advancing African development.
He identified the Trans-Saharan Highway, Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and Trans-Saharan Fibre Optic Backbone as major strategic projects receiving attention from both countries.
The ambassador also disclosed that Algeria had continued to provide scholarships to Nigerian students to strengthen human capital development and capacity building.
He further announced that Air Algérie expanded its Nigerian operations on October 26, 2026, with the introduction of two weekly flights to Lagos, expressing confidence that the service would boost trade and tourism.
Looking ahead, Mezoued said 2027 would offer fresh opportunities to deepen bilateral cooperation, particularly through the fifth Joint High Bi-National Commission scheduled to hold in Abuja.
He expressed optimism that the meeting would provide an opportunity to assess existing partnerships, identify new areas of cooperation and move Nigeria-Algeria relations towards a more practical and results-driven phase.
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