Eighteen out of 29 federal directors who sat for the Permanent Secretary qualifying examination have failed to meet the required 50 percent threshold, raising concerns about competence in Nigeria’s top bureaucratic ranks.
The shocking failure rate—over 60 percent—was disclosed in a memo signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Gabriel Aduda, on behalf of the examination committee.
With only 11 directors making the cut, attention now turns to the next stage of the selection process, scheduled for Wednesday, February 12, 2025.
The Federal Government, through the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), had earlier announced the recruitment exercise to fill vacant Permanent Secretary positions—one of the most influential roles in the Nigerian civil service.
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However, the high failure rate has triggered fresh debates about meritocracy, accountability, and the quality of leadership in public administration.
In a separate memo signed by the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, the government outlined strict eligibility criteria for candidates.
- Officials under disciplinary procedures were barred from applying.
- Only candidates from certain states could participate to ensure compliance with the Federal Character principle.
- President Bola Tinubu personally approved the appointment process.
The failure of the majority of candidates has sparked conversations about the state of Nigeria’s civil service leadership pipeline.
- Are these directors truly unqualified, or does the exam process need reform?
- What impact will this have on governance and policy implementation?
- Does the civil service need a more rigorous training and assessment framework?
With only 11 directors advancing, the next phase will determine who ultimately ascends to the powerful role of Permanent Secretary—a position crucial in shaping federal policies and governance.
For now, the question lingers: If those at the highest level of Nigeria’s civil service struggle to pass a qualifying exam, what does this say about the system itself?
