President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Abel Enitan as the next Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, with the new appointment taking effect on August 27, 2026.
Enitan will replace Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who is set to retire from the Federal Civil Service after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 60.
The new Head of Service, who is from Osun State, currently serves as the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Education. He is also the most senior Permanent Secretary in the Federal Civil Service.
Enitan has spent more than seven years serving as a Permanent Secretary, with previous postings to the Ministry of Police Affairs, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the Office of the Vice President.
The appointment was announced by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, who described Enitan as an experienced civil servant with extensive knowledge of the workings of government.
President Tinubu expressed appreciation to Walson-Jack for her service and contributions to reforms and innovations within the Federal Civil Service during her tenure.
He wished the outgoing Head of Service a fulfilling life after retirement and commended her years of dedicated public service.
Tinubu also tasked Enitan with building on the reforms already introduced into the civil service while strengthening professionalism, efficiency and accountability.
The President urged him to lead a Civil Service that is merit-driven, innovative, responsive and capable of effectively delivering the objectives of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Born on December 12, 1966, Enitan obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Banking from the University of Lagos in 1988. He later earned a Master of Science degree in Public Policy Analysis from Nasarawa State University, Lafia, in 2015.
He is expected to formally assume office on August 27, following Walson-Jack’s retirement.
