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President Bola Tinubu has formally handed the leadership of the Federal Civil Service to Abel Enitan, swearing him in as the new Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF) following the retirement of Didi Walson-Jack, who attained the statutory retirement age of 60.
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Enitan takes charge with extensive experience at the highest level of the federal bureaucracy, having served as the most senior Permanent Secretary for seven years and seven months and worked across strategic institutions, including the Ministries of Police Affairs, Humanitarian Affairs and Education.
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Tinubu has given the new Head of Service a clear reform mandate, directing him to consolidate ongoing reforms and innovations while driving professionalism, merit, efficiency, accountability and responsiveness across the Federal Civil Service.
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The leadership transition was completed on Thursday with a formal handover between Walson-Jack and Enitan, as the outgoing Head of Service presented her handover note covering her tenure from August 14, 2024, to August 27, 2026, before both officials signed the relevant documents.
August 27, (THEWILL) — President Bola Tinubu on Thursday swore in Abel Enitan as the new Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), giving him a tough mandate to deepen reforms and eliminate inefficiency in the federal bureaucracy.
Enitan’s assumption of office followed the retirement of his predecessor, Didi Walson-Jack, who retired from the Federal Civil Service after attaining the statutory retirement age of 60.
The brief swearing-in ceremony was held at the State House, Abuja, where Enitan formally assumed responsibility for the leadership of the Federal Civil Service.
His appointment took effect on August 27, 2026, after President Tinubu announced him as Walson-Jack’s successor on August 19.
The transition was formally completed on Thursday as Walson-Jack handed over to Enitan, with both officials signing the necessary official documents.
Presenting the handover note, Walson-Jack said it covered the period from August 14, 2024, to August 27, 2026.
“To hand over to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr Enitan Abel, her handover note for the period covering Wednesday 14th August 2024 to 27 August 2026,” she said.
The two officials subsequently exchanged a handshake, marking the formal transfer of responsibilities to Enitan.
Tinubu Demands Professional, Merit-Driven Service
With Enitan now in charge, President Tinubu has made clear that continuity alone will not be enough, charging him to consolidate the reforms and innovations already underway while raising the standard of performance across the Federal Civil Service.
In announcing the appointment, the President said Enitan brought “considerable institutional experience and a deep understanding of how the Federal Civil Service works” to his new responsibility.
Tinubu tasked him with deepening professionalism and efficiency across the service and leading a bureaucracy that is “professional, merit-driven, accountable, innovative, and responsive to Nigerians’ needs and aspirations.”
The President’s directive places a strong emphasis on the capacity of the Civil Service to deliver government policies effectively, particularly as the administration pursues reforms across the public sector.
The Federal Civil Service remains the administrative engine of government, responsible for translating policies and decisions into programmes and services delivered through ministries, departments and agencies.
The President expressed appreciation to Walson-Jack for her service to the nation, commending the “reforms, impact and innovations witnessed in the Civil Service during her tenure.”
Enitan’s Experience
Enitan, an indigene of Osun State, was the most senior Permanent Secretary in the Federal Civil Service before he was appointed Head of Service.
He had served as a Permanent Secretary for seven years and seven months, giving him extensive experience in the management of government institutions and the federal administrative system.
His career included postings to the Ministry of Police Affairs, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the Office of the Vice President.
He later served as Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Education.
Born on December 12, 1966, Enitan attended Ajibode Grammar School, Ibadan, and the College of Arts and Science, Ile-Ife. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Banking from the University of Lagos in 1988.
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