President Bola Tinubu has appointed Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan as Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, succeeding Didi Walson-Jack from August 27, 2026.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Mr Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan as the new Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), effective August 27, 2026.
Enitan will succeed Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who is due to retire from the Federal Civil Service upon attaining the statutory retirement age of 60.
The Presidency announced the appointment in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
Enitan, who is from Osun State, is currently the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education and is the most senior Permanent Secretary in the Federal Civil Service.
The Federal Ministry of Education’s official website currently lists Enitan as its Permanent Secretary, confirming his position before his elevation to the top administrative office in the Federal Civil Service.
According to the Presidency, Enitan has served as a Permanent Secretary for seven years and seven months, with postings to the Ministry of Police Affairs, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the Office of the Vice President.
His current posting is at the Federal Ministry of Education, where he has been involved in the ministry’s administrative and policy implementation activities. Federal Ministry of Education documents also identify him as Permanent Secretary and show his involvement in national education policy and performance-management initiatives.
President Tinubu said Enitan’s extensive institutional experience and understanding of the operations of the Federal Civil Service would be valuable in his new responsibility.
The President charged the incoming HCSF to consolidate existing reforms and innovations, deepen professionalism and efficiency across the service and build a more effective and responsive Civil Service capable of supporting the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Tinubu further urged Enitan to promote a Civil Service that is professional, merit-driven, accountable, innovative and responsive to the needs and aspirations of Nigerians.
President Tinubu expressed appreciation to Walson-Jack for her service to the nation and for the reforms, innovations and other developments recorded in the Civil Service during her tenure.
He wished the outgoing Head of the Civil Service a fulfilling and successful life after retirement and conveyed the nation’s gratitude for her years of dedicated public service.
Walson-Jack had been serving as Head of the Civil Service of the Federation before her scheduled retirement at the statutory age of 60.
Enitan was born on December 12, 1966. He attended Ajibode Grammar School, Ibadan, and the College of Arts and Science, Ile-Ife, for his secondary education before proceeding to the University of Lagos, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Banking in 1988.
He later obtained a Master of Science degree in Public Policy Analysis from Nasarawa State University, Lafia, in 2015.
His appointment comes as the Federal Government continues efforts to strengthen public-sector performance, institutional efficiency and accountability across the federal bureaucracy.
The Federal Ministry of Education’s records also show Enitan’s recent role in driving performance-management initiatives within the ministry, including participation in programmes aimed at improving service delivery, accountability and performance standards.
Enitan will formally assume the position of Head of the Civil Service of the Federation on August 27, succeeding Walson-Jack and taking charge of the Federal Government’s administrative machinery.
Visit GMTNewsng for more news stories.
