Tinubu appoints Abel Enitan as Head of Civil Service

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan as the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, effective August 27, 2026.

Enitan succeeds Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who will retire soon from the Federal Civil Service upon attaining the statutory retirement age of 60.

Enitan, from Osun State, is the most senior Permanent Secretary in the Federal Civil Service.

He has served as Permanent Secretary for seven years and seven months, working at the Ministry of Police Affairs, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and the Office of the Vice President. He is currently the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Education.

Announcing the appointment via a statement issued on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Enitan brings institutional experience and a deep understanding of how the Federal Civil Service works to his new responsibility.

Onanuga quoted Tinubu as expressing his appreciation to Walson-Jack for her service to the nation and for the reforms, impact, and innovations witnessed in the Civil Service during her tenure.

Tinubu wished her a fulfilling and successful life after service and conveyed the nation’s gratitude for her years of dedicated and impactful public service.

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President Tinubu also enjoined the incoming Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to “consolidate on the reforms and innovations already underway, deepen professionalism and efficiency across the service, and build a more effective and responsive Civil Service capable of delivering on the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”

He further urged Enitan to lead a Civil Service that is professional, merit-driven, accountable, innovative, and responsive to Nigerians’ needs and aspirations.

Enitan was born on December 12, 1966. He had his secondary education at Ajibode Grammar School, Ibadan and the College of Arts and Science, Ile-Ife in Osun State. He later attended the University of Lagos and graduated in 1988 with a B.Sc. in Finance and Banking.

In 2015, Enitan obtained an M.Sc. in Public Policy Analysis from Nasarawa State University, Lafia.