Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has sworn in 19 new Permanent Secretaries, an appointment his administration described as the largest of its kind in the history of the state. The ceremony took place at the International Conference Centre in Gombe, with the governor confirming that this fresh batch brings the total number of Permanent Secretaries appointed since he took office to 55. He also noted that more than 100 directors have been elevated into senior administrative positions within the state civil service during the same period.
Appointments Aimed at Closing Manpower Gaps
Ismaila Uba Misilli, the Director-General for Press Affairs, confirmed the event in an official statement, saying the appointments were aimed at closing manpower gaps and strengthening the institutional capacity of the state government. The governor highlighted that the selection process was designed around competence, merit, and equitable representation, urging the new appointees to treat their roles as a serious responsibility rather than a personal reward.
Speaking on behalf of the newly appointed officials, Musa Mohammed Babaji thanked the governor for the confidence placed in them and pledged that all 19 appointees would serve with diligence, loyalty, and professionalism.
Recruitment Drive Before 2027
A central announcement from Governor Inuwa was his plan to launch a major recruitment exercise into the state civil service before his tenure ends on May 29, 2027. He said he had directed the Head of Civil Service to work with the State Civil Service Commission to carry out a comprehensive manpower needs assessment across all ministries, departments, and agencies.
According to the governor, the foundation for this exercise was laid by the state's biometric attendance and verification system, which he said had provided reliable data on the actual size of the workforce. He noted that the system, which faced criticism when it was first introduced, had helped the government tackle ghost workers and absenteeism, saving the state billions of naira in the process.
Reforms and Future Steps
Governor Inuwa also mentioned the establishment of the Bureau for Public Service Reforms as another key step his administration had taken to improve efficiency, accountability, and service delivery within the civil service. Over the seven and a half years of his administration, he said, the government has appointed 55 Permanent Secretaries and elevated over 100 directors into senior civil service roles.
In a related development, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) had earlier announced that its Basic Military Training Course (BMTC) 47/2026 recruitment exercise would kick off on Wednesday, September 3, 2026, with online registration opening the same day for eligible Nigerians, open to suitably qualified candidates for Tradesmen/Women and Non-Tradesmen/Women positions.
