A significant transition has taken place within the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) as Maurice Nnamdi Mbaeri, officially handed over duties to Mohammed Sanusi Danjuma, FCNA, the current Permanent Secretary of the Special Services Office.
Mbaeri was the former Permanent Secretary of the General Services Office (GSO), the engine room office of the OSGF.
The change of guard comes at a poignant moment, as national conversations around the pivotal role of Permanent Secretaries in sustaining governance were recently reignited by Finance Minister Wale Edun, who referred to them as “the backbone of government.”
During his tenure as Permanent Secretary of the General Services Office, Mbaeri was responsible for supervising activities within the SGF’s office, a role that placed him at the heart of federal administration. One of the highlights of his service was the privilege of presenting appointment letters to newly appointed Ministers and heads of federal agencies, symbolizing his central role in the nation’s governance process.
In a heartfelt ceremony held in Abuja, Mbaeri expressed gratitude to those who entrusted him with responsibility, particularly the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume, CON, and former SGF, Boss Mustapha. Reflecting on his five-year journey in the SGF’s office, he praised the camaraderie shared with fellow Permanent Secretaries and urged continued unity in advancing the civil service’s mandate.
His successor, Mohammed Sanusi Danjuma, who now oversees both the Special Services and General Services Offices, described Dr. Mbaeri as “a mentor per excellence,” promising to build on the solid foundations laid by his predecessor.
The ceremony also doubled as a celebration of Mbaeri’s 60th birthday and retirement. Tributes flowed from dignitaries, including Sen. Akume and other senior officials, who described him as a dependable, strategic, and transformational figure in public administration.
