The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) is currently processing several recruitment exercises that include positions for Administrative Officers (AO) on Salary Grade Level 08 and above. As of late February 2026, there is no single massive nationwide “OHCSF 2026 Administrative Officer recruitment” portal open for fresh applications. Instead, vacancies are being filled through three main channels: internal promotion exercises, conversion from other cadres, and targeted external hiring for specific MDAs under the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) framework.
This article explains the current status, realistic salary expectations, eligibility criteria, and how to position yourself for upcoming or ongoing opportunities.
Current Status of Administrative Officer Vacancies (February 2026)
- Internal Promotion & Conversion Exercise
The OHCSF 2025/2026 promotion and conversion window is still active. Many Administrative Officers on GL 07 are being upgraded to GL 08 and GL 09, while officers in other cadres (Executive Officers, Auditors, etc.) are converting to the Admin cadre. This exercise is handled internally and does not require public application. If you are already a federal civil servant, your department should have circulated the guidelines. - FCSC Professional Vacancies (Ongoing)
The Federal Civil Service Commission released a general advert in late 2025 for professional and technical staff across various MDAs. Administrative Officer positions (GL 08–10) are included under “General Duties” and “Administration” cadres. The portal (recruitment.fedcivilservice.gov.ng) is still receiving applications for some streams, although the main window closed in October 2025. Late or supplementary applications are sometimes accepted for hard-to-fill locations. - MDA-Specific Recruitment
Several Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) under the OHCSF supervisory umbrella are recruiting Administrative Officers independently. Examples include:
- Federal Ministry of Finance
- Federal Ministry of Education
- National Population Commission
- National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) These adverts are published on the MDA websites and the FCSC portal. Salaries and conditions follow the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS).
Salary Expectations for Administrative Officers in 2026
The salary structure is governed by the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS). Below are the current monthly basic salaries (excluding allowances) for entry and early-career Administrative Officers.
| Salary Grade Level | Qualification / Entry Point | Monthly Basic Salary (₦) | Approximate Annual Basic (₦) | Typical Take-Home (incl. allowances) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL 08 | B.Sc / B.A / HND (Second Class Lower & above) | 71,000 – 78,000 | 852,000 – 936,000 | ₦110,000 – ₦160,000 |
| GL 09 | B.Sc + NYSC + Professional Qual (rare entry) | 85,000 – 92,000 | 1,020,000 – 1,104,000 | ₦140,000 – ₦200,000 |
| GL 10 | Accelerated promotion / conversion | 102,000 – 110,000 | 1,224,000 – 1,320,000 | ₦170,000 – ₦250,000 |
Allowances commonly added:
- Housing allowance: 20–30% of basic
- Transport allowance: ₦20,000–₦35,000 monthly
- Utility allowance: ₦5,000–₦15,000 monthly
- Leave allowance: 10% of annual basic (paid once a year)
- 13th-month salary: One extra month’s basic (December)
Total monthly take-home for a new GL 08 Administrative Officer is usually ₦110,000–₦160,000 after PAYE and pension deductions.
Eligibility Criteria for Administrative Officer Positions
To qualify for GL 08 entry in 2026, you generally need:
- Bachelor’s degree (minimum Second Class Lower) in any discipline (Humanities, Social Sciences, Sciences, Management, etc.)
- NYSC discharge certificate or exemption letter
- Computer literacy (basic Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Good communication skills and no criminal record
GL 09 and above usually require additional qualifications (Master’s, professional certifications such as ICAN, CIPM, NIM) or years of service for internal candidates.
How to Position Yourself for Upcoming Opportunities
- Visit the FCSC recruitment portal regularly (recruitment.fedcivilservice.gov.ng).
- Monitor the OHCSF website (ohcsf.gov.ng) and official social media pages for circulars.
- Join civil service WhatsApp/telegram groups in your state or MDA for early alerts.
- Prepare your documents: degree certificates, NYSC certificate, birth certificate, LGA identification, and passport photographs.
- If you are already in service, discuss conversion or promotion with your Head of Department.
The civil service remains one of the most secure employers in Nigeria. While entry-level pay is modest compared to private-sector roles, the combination of job security, pension, and steady increments makes it attractive for many graduates.
Have you applied to any OHCSF or FCSC recruitment recently? What grade were you placed on? Share your experience in the comments.
