Nine directors in the federal civil service have failed the first stage of a re-sit promotional examination.
Punch reports that only 14 directors were shortlisted for a second round out of 23 directors who took the examination.
The newspaper said President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the re-sit examination for the 23 directors.
The 23 directors were part of those who took part in the last exercise that led to the emergence of 12 permanent secretaries in June.
After 91 directors participated in the second stage of the qualification examination, 14 emerged successful.
The 14 directors will be taking part in an information communication technology (ICT) test fixed for Wednesday.
The successful candidates are to be appointed as permanent secretaries of federal ministries.
Recently, 12 permanent secretaries were appointed out of the 16 approved by the president, leaving open four vacancies.
The president was said to have approved re-sit examinations for directors who did not make the final list in June.
