Nigerian gov approves appointment of 45 Permanent Secretaries, others

One of the governors in the country, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has approved the appointment of 45 Permanent Secretaries and three Executive Secretaries, marking a significant restructuring in the state’s civil service.

The announcement was made through a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, and detailed in a document signed by the Head of Service, Mrs. Olubunmi Oni.

The appointments reflect a broad reshuffling across various sectors. Sixteen Permanent Secretaries have been assigned to the mainstream civil service, with six Inspectors General of Education, six health sector Permanent Secretaries, and seven for the local government sector also named.

In addition, a new Clerk of the House of Assembly, a Surveyor General, and nine Tutors General have been appointed.

“This new set of appointments is unique and a clear break from the norm where the mainstream civil servants enjoy the virtual monopoly of being appointed as permanent secretaries,” the statement read.

The governor’s decision to increase the number of local government Permanent Secretaries to seven underscores a shift toward decentralizing leadership roles.

Oyelade noted that the health sector will now have Permanent Secretaries heading zones, replacing the traditional Heads of Hospitals. Similarly, the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) will have zonal Executive Secretaries.

He further highlighted the administration’s commitment to worker welfare, recalling that over 23,000 employees have been recruited under Makinde’s leadership, with ₦143 billion allocated annually for salaries starting this January.

These changes, Oyelade emphasized, position Oyo as a leader in prioritizing the welfare of government employees nationwide.