Seven directors compete for the job of Accountant General

The federal government has reduced the number of directors vying to be the country’s accountant general to seven.

The seven finalists were chosen from the 20 shortlisted directors previously approved by anti-corruption agencies to compete for the vacant position.

In the first test organized by the Office of the Chief Civil Service of the Federation for the 20 shortlisted directors, 10 directors failed.

They scored below 50 percent, trailing the other 10 who succeeded in the race.

On Wednesday, January 25, 2023, the 10 qualified drivers moved on to the second phase of the exam, which is an Information Communication Technology test.

Three drivers failed that test, leaving seven others in the race.

The seven remaining in the race took part in the final stage of the exam, which was an oral interview last Thursday.

“The candidates listed below are invited to the oral interview phase of the process of appointing a Substantive Accountant General of the Federation following their successful performance in phases I and 2 of the exercise,” a circular dated January 25, 2023, and signed by Dr. Ernest Umakhikhe read on behalf of the Board of Examiners.

Last Thursday’s oral meeting marked the end of the process leading to the appointment of the new Accountant General.

It is expected that the Office of the Chief Civil Service of the Federation will announce the winner of the oral interview as the new Accountant General at any time.

The PUNCH had previously reported how the country’s anti-graft bureaus authorized 20 directors from various ministries, departments and agencies to participate in the process leading to the filling of the vacancy.

The vacancy followed the July 2022 arrest of former AGF, Ahmed Idris, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for the alleged embezzlement of N109bn and his subsequent suspension and prosecution.

The 20 shortlisted candidates who took part in the process are Danladi Comfort, Gombe (Interior); Mohammed Yar’Abba, Sokoto (Fire Brigade); Mufutau Bukola, Oyo (Transportation); Mahmud Kambari, Borno (Northeast Development Commission); Mohammed Dojo, Gombe (inland); and Waziri Samuel, Borno (agriculture and rural development).

Others are Maiden Sakirat, Ogun (OHCSF); Adaramoye Oluwole, Ekiti (Humanitarian Affairs); Isa Abubakar, Yobe (Science, Technology and Innovation); Ogunsemowo Olakunle, Ogun (Environment); Egbokhale Charity, Edo (NFF); Ibrahim Jibo, Kano (National Boundary Commission); Ogbodo Nnam, Enugu (National Salary, Income and Wage Commission); and Bakare Juliannah, Ekiti (NPF).