Gombe Governor Inuwa Yahaya Inaugurates 19 Permanent Secretaries, Plans Major Civil Service Recruitment

Gombe, Nigeria 🇳🇬 September 10, 2026 — Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has sworn in 19 new Permanent Secretaries as part of efforts to strengthen the state’s civil service and improve public administration.

The swearing-in ceremony took place at the International Conference Centre in Gombe, where the Governor described the appointments as the largest batch of Permanent Secretaries appointed at once in the history of the state.

Governor Inuwa said the latest appointments had increased the number of Permanent Secretaries appointed by his administration to 55 since it came into office.

He added that more than 100 directors had also been promoted into the senior administrative cadre during the period.

According to the Governor, the appointments are aimed at filling critical manpower gaps, strengthening government institutions and creating a professional public service capable of sustaining development beyond the current administration.

Governor Inuwa disclosed that the state government is preparing to embark on a major recruitment exercise for the civil service.

He said the process would be based on a comprehensive assessment of staffing requirements across ministries, departments and agencies.

The Governor explained that he had instructed the Head of Civil Service to collaborate with the State Civil Service Commission to identify areas where additional personnel are needed.

He said the exercise would provide the basis for recruiting new workers before the end of his tenure on May 29, 2027.

He attributed the planned recruitment to the improved workforce data obtained through the government's biometric verification and attendance system.

Governor Inuwa said the system had helped the government establish the actual number of workers in the state's workforce, while reducing cases of ghost workers and absenteeism.

He further stated that the reform had saved the state billions of naira and would enable future recruitment to be based on genuine manpower needs.

The Governor also revealed that his administration had paid more than N33 billion in gratuities during its seven-and-a-half years in office.

He said roughly 70 per cent of the liabilities were inherited from the previous administration.

Governor Inuwa announced that another round of gratuity payments was expected before the end of September 2026.

He expressed optimism that the remaining backlog would be completely cleared by the first quarter of 2027.

He also highlighted regular salary payments, implementation of the minimum wage at state and local government levels, promotion of workers and settlement of pension and gratuity obligations as part of his administration's efforts to improve workers' welfare.

The Governor said the selection of the new Permanent Secretaries was guided by competence, merit and fair representation.

He explained that qualified senior directors from the various Local Government Areas were assessed based on their qualifications, experience and records of service.

Candidates also underwent written examinations designed to assess their general knowledge and ICT competence.

Two of the appointees, he said, came from outside the traditional state civil service structure. One was drawn from the Federal Civil Service, while the other came from academia.

According to the Governor, their inclusion would provide additional expertise, institutional connections and research-based perspectives to the state bureaucracy.

Governor Inuwa urged the new Permanent Secretaries to see their appointments as a responsibility to the people rather than simply a career achievement.

He charged them to uphold integrity, accountability, discipline and professionalism in the performance of their duties.

The Governor warned that corruption, indiscipline, dishonesty and abuse of office would not be tolerated.

He said:

«“Your appointment is not a personal achievement alone; it is a trust reposed in you by the people of Gombe State.”»

The Governor said that as his administration enters its final stage, attention would be given to consolidating reforms, strengthening government institutions and ensuring that the achievements of the administration remain sustainable after May 2027.

The Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, commended Governor Inuwa Yahaya for what he described as a commitment to professionalism, competence, accountability and institutional development.

Njodi assured the Governor that the state public service would continue to support the administration's reform programmes and development initiatives.

He congratulated the newly appointed Permanent Secretaries and urged them to remain accessible, innovative and responsive to the needs of citizens.

Responding on behalf of the appointees, Musa Mohammed Babaji thanked the Governor for entrusting them with the responsibility.

He pledged that the new Permanent Secretaries would reciprocate the confidence placed in them through professionalism, loyalty, diligence and dedication to effective public service.