10 advance in race for AGF position

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation has announced that 10 candidates have advanced to the next stage in the rigorous selection process for the position of Accountant-General of the Federation.

A statement by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Head of Service, Eno Olotu, noted that this follows the release of results from a written examination conducted to assess candidates’ expertise in public financial management, auditing and fiscal policy.

Out of 15 candidates who sat for the examination, 10 passed and will now proceed to the next phase, which is the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) proficiency test scheduled for Thursday, February 13, 2025. The ICT test is a critical component of the selection process, designed to evaluate candidates’ ability to leverage technology in modern financial administration.

Speaking on the development, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transparency and merit-based recruitment. “This process reflects our dedication to appointing only the most capable individuals to leadership roles in public financial management.

“We are confident that this approach will ensure accountability, integrity and efficiency in managing public funds,” she said.

Walson-Jack also praised the rigorous nature of the selection process, emphasising its importance in identifying professionals with both technical expertise and strong leadership qualities. “The government remains steadfast in its efforts to strengthen public sector financial management by appointing individuals, who can uphold the highest standards,” she added.

The vacancy for Accountant-General of the Federation became imperative as the tenure of the current officeholder, Dr. Oluwatoyin Madein, is set to expire on March 7, 2025. The final appointee will be tasked with overseeing Nigeria’s public finances at a time when transparency and efficiency are critical to national development.

The statement reiterated that fairness and equity remained central to the selection process. “This recruitment process is guided by meritocracy and ensures that only those with proven competence advance,” she stated.

The successful candidates from this stage will proceed to further evaluations, including an oral interview by a panel, comprising experts from both public and private sectors.