FG To Begin Appointment Process For New Accountant-General, Permanent secretaries  

The Federal Government of Nigeria, has commenced the selection process for the appointment of new Accountant-General of the Federation and permanent secretaries to fill existing vacancies in Oyo State and the North-West geo-political zone.

Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, HCSF, Didi Walson-Jack, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, noting that the selection process would include a written examination administered by a top Federal Government’s security agency, with questions to be set and marked by serving and retired permanent secretaries.

Walson-Jack said the position of Accountant-General would become vacant upon the retirement of the incumbent in March, stating that the permanent secretaries’ vacancies arose following the retirement of the permanent secretary from Oyo State and an impending vacancy in the North-West geopolitical zone.

She said that the selection process, approved by President Bola Tinubu, would be structured and multi-tiered, in order to ensure that only competent and credible individuals are appointed, expressing that candidates will undergo an asset declaration with the Code of Conduct Bureau and an anti-corruption clearance by the DSS, the EFCC and the ICPC.

According to her, the process is open to serving Grade Level 17 officers in the mainstream of the Federal Civil Service who have held their current positions for at least two years and have expressed interest to participate in the exercise.

“Candidates will undergo a series of screenings, including verification by their respective permanent secretaries and the Accountant-General to ensure they are not under disciplinary procedures.

“The Career Management Office (CMO) in the office of the HCSF will generate a list of eligible candidates, which will be further screened by a Committee of Permanent Secretaries.

“The process will be under the observation of the ICPC and DSS, ” Walson-Jack said.

According to her, candidates will undergo an asset declaration with the Code of Conduct Bureau and an anti-corruption clearance by the DSS, the EFCC and the ICPC.

“President Tinubu will make the final decision based on candidates’ overall performance, ” HOS said.

“Observers from civil society organisations, the private sector, professional bodies, Department of State Services (DSS) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) will oversee the exercise.”