President Bola Tinubu has picked Abel Enitan to take over as Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, with the appointment taking effect on August 27, 2026.
Enitan steps into the role vacated by Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who is retiring after reaching the mandatory civil service retirement age of 60.
A native of Osun State, Enitan currently serves as Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Education and holds the distinction of being the longest-serving Permanent Secretary in the federal system. Over his seven-plus years in that rank, he has held postings at the Ministry of Police Affairs, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and the Office of the Vice President.
The appointment was made public on Wednesday through a statement from Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy. Onanuga described Enitan as someone who brings deep, hands-on knowledge of how the civil service operates, calling him well-positioned for the responsibilities ahead given his seniority and experience.
In the same statement, Tinubu expressed appreciation for Walson-Jack’s contributions, crediting her tenure with a number of reforms and improvements within the civil service. He wished her a smooth and fulfilling retirement, thanking her on behalf of the nation for her years of service.
Looking ahead, Tinubu tasked Enitan with building on the reforms already in motion, pushing for greater professionalism and efficiency, and shaping a civil service better equipped to support his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He wants the institution to be one that Nigerians can see as merit-based, accountable, forward-thinking, and genuinely responsive to their needs.
The incoming head of service, Enitan was born on December 12, 1966. He completed his secondary schooling at Ajibode Grammar School in Ibadan and the College of Arts and Science in Ile-Ife, before earning a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Banking from the University of Lagos in 1988. He later added a Master’s degree in Public Policy Analysis from Nasarawa State University, Lafia, in 2015.
Enitan officially takes over the role on August 27, 2026, once Walson-Jack’s retirement takes effect.
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