Gombe Governor Swears In 19 Permanent Secretaries, Signals Fresh Civil Service Drive

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has formally sworn in 19 newly appointed Permanent Secretaries at the state's International Conference Centre, marking what officials describe as the largest single batch of such appointments in the state's administrative history. The ceremony underscores the governor's final push to reshape the civil service hierarchy before the conclusion of his tenure.

The 19 new appointees expand the roster of Permanent Secretaries appointed under Yahaya's administration to 55 over his seven-year period in office. During the same span, more than 100 directors have been elevated into senior-level administrative positions within the state's civil service structure.

The governor framed these moves as central to his broader institutional strengthening agenda. State officials said the recruitment exercise addresses staffing shortages within Gombe's public administration and aims to establish a professional civil service equipped to sustain development initiatives beyond the current administration's timeline.

Emphasis was placed on the competence and integrity standards applied during the selection process for the newly sworn-in officials. Governor Yahaya has announced plans to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the state's manpower requirements, with a major recruitment drive expected to launch before May 29, 2027.

The timeline suggests the exercise will extend into the successor administration's term. Officials did not disclose specific vacancy numbers or recruitment targets for the upcoming exercise.