President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Mr 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 Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who is due to retire from the Federal Civil Service after attaining the statutory retirement age of 60.
The appointment was announced on Wednesday in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Enitan, who hails from Osun State, is currently the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education and is described as the most senior Permanent Secretary in the Federal Civil Service.
He has served at the Permanent Secretary level for about seven years and seven months, holding responsibilities across several ministries and offices of the Federal Government.
His previous postings include the Ministry of Police Affairs, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the Office of the Vice President.
He assumed office as Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education in March 2025, where he has been involved in the implementation of the administration’s education policies and public service reforms.
Enitan was among nine Permanent Secretaries appointed to the Federal Civil Service in 2018 and has since served in several senior administrative positions across government.
President Tinubu said Enitan’s years in the federal bureaucracy had provided him with extensive institutional experience and a deep understanding of the workings of the Civil Service.
The President charged the incoming Head of Service to consolidate ongoing reforms and innovations aimed at transforming the Federal Civil Service.
Tinubu also tasked him with strengthening professionalism, efficiency and accountability across federal ministries, departments and agencies.
According to the President, the Civil Service should increasingly become merit-driven, innovative and responsive to the needs of Nigerians.
He urged Enitan to ensure that the Service effectively supports the implementation of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
As Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Enitan has participated in initiatives aimed at strengthening accountability, digitalisation and efficiency in public administration, including the deployment of an Electronic Content Management system within the ministry.
As Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Enitan has participated in initiatives aimed at strengthening accountability, digitalisation and efficiency in public administration, including the deployment of an Electronic Content Management system within the ministry.
Tinubu also expressed appreciation to the outgoing Head of Service, Walson-Jack, for her contributions to the Federal Civil Service.
The President particularly acknowledged reforms, innovations and other developments recorded during her tenure and wished her a fulfilling life after retirement.
Walson-Jack assumed office as Head of the Civil Service of the Federation in August 2024 and marked two years in the position on August 14, 2026.
Enitan was born on December 12, 1966.
He attended Ajibode Grammar School, Ibadan, before proceeding to the College of Arts and Science, Ile-Ife.