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President Bola Tinubu has appointed Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan as the new Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, with the appointment taking effect from August 27, 2026. Enitan will succeed the incumbent Head of Service, Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who is due to retire from the Federal Civil Service after attaining the statutory retirement age of 60.
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Enitan, an indigene of Osun State, is currently the most senior Permanent Secretary in the Federal Civil Service. He has spent seven years and seven months at the Permanent Secretary level, serving in key institutions, including the Ministry of Police Affairs, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the Office of the Vice President.
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The incoming Head of Service is expected to consolidate ongoing civil service reforms and improve efficiency across the public sector. President Tinubu charged him to strengthen professionalism, merit, accountability and innovation while ensuring that the service becomes more responsive to the needs of Nigerians and better positioned to deliver the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
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President Tinubu praised the outgoing Head of Service, Walson-Jack, for her contributions to the Federal Civil Service. The President expressed appreciation for the reforms, innovations and institutional impact recorded during her tenure and wished her a fulfilling life after public service.
August 19, (THEWILL) — President Bola Tinubu has appointed Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan as the new Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), effective August 27, 2026.
THEWILL reports that Enitan will succeed the incumbent Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who is scheduled to retire from the Federal Civil Service upon attaining the statutory retirement age of 60.
The appointment was announced on Wednesday in a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
Enitan, from Osun State, is currently the most senior Permanent Secretary in the Federal Civil Service and has accumulated seven years and seven months of experience at the rank.
Before his new appointment, he served as Permanent Secretary in several strategic government institutions, including 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.
The Presidency said his extensive experience across critical arms of the Federal Government has equipped him with considerable institutional knowledge and a deep understanding of the operations and challenges of the Federal Civil Service.
With the appointment, Enitan is expected to assume responsibility for coordinating and providing administrative leadership to the Federal Civil Service as the Tinubu administration continues to implement its reform agenda.
President Tinubu charged the incoming Head of Service to consolidate the reforms and innovations already underway in the Civil Service and further strengthen professionalism and efficiency across government ministries, departments and agencies.
The President also tasked Enitan with building a more effective and responsive civil service capable of delivering the objectives of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He specifically urged the new Head of Service to lead a public service that is professional, merit-driven, accountable and innovative, while remaining responsive to the needs, aspirations and expectations of Nigerians.
The appointment comes as the Federal Government continues efforts to improve public sector performance, strengthen institutional capacity and make government services more efficient and responsive.
President Tinubu also expressed his appreciation to Walson-Jack for what he described as her distinguished service to the nation.
According to the President, the outgoing Head of Service contributed significantly to reforms, innovations and improvements recorded in the Civil Service during her tenure.
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He commended her years of dedicated and impactful public service and wished her a fulfilling and successful life after retirement.
Enitan’s appointment places a career civil servant with extensive experience across several ministries and government offices at the helm of the Federal Civil Service. Born on December 12, 1966, Enitan had his secondary education at Ajibode Grammar School, Ibadan, and the College of Arts and Science, Ile-Ife.
He proceeded to the University of Lagos, where he graduated in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Banking.
In 2015, he obtained a Master of Science degree in Public Policy Analysis from Nasarawa State University, Lafia.
His career in the Federal Civil Service has taken him through several strategic assignments, culminating in his emergence as the most senior Permanent Secretary before his appointment as Head of Service.
He is expected to formally assume office on August 27, when Walson-Jack’s tenure comes to an end.
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