President Bola Tinubu has appointed Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan as Nigeria’s new Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, with the appointment taking effect from 27 August 2026. Enitan will succeed Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who is leaving the Federal Civil Service after reaching the statutory retirement age of 60.
The Presidency announced the appointment on Wednesday, 19 August, in a statement issued by President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Enitan, who is from Osun State, is currently Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Education. The Presidency said he is also the most senior Permanent Secretary in the Federal Civil Service.
He has served as a Permanent Secretary for seven years and seven months, holding senior positions in the Ministry of Police Affairs, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the Office of the Vice President before moving to the Education Ministry.
Tinubu tells Enitan to deepen civil service reforms
Tinubu said the incoming Head of Civil Service should build on reforms already introduced and improve professionalism, efficiency and accountability across the federal workforce.
The President wants Enitan to strengthen a civil service capable of delivering the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and responding more effectively to the needs of Nigerians.
Tinubu urged him to lead a service that is “professional, merit-driven, accountable, innovative, and responsive to Nigerians’ needs and aspirations.”
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation is one of the most senior positions in Nigeria’s public administration. The office provides leadership for the federal civil service and plays a central role in managing the workforce that implements government policies across ministries and agencies.
This means Enitan will be responsible not simply for managing civil servants but also for helping to improve how federal institutions recruit, train, promote and deploy staff and how government services are delivered.
Who is Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan?
Enitan was born on 12 December 1966.
He attended Ajibode Grammar School in Ibadan and the College of Arts and Science in Ile-Ife before studying at the University of Lagos, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Banking in 1988.
He later obtained a Master of Science degree in Public Policy Analysis from Nasarawa State University, Lafia, in 2015.
His appointment follows years of service at Permanent Secretary level. He took over as Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Education in March 2025 after previously serving in other federal ministries.
His experience across education, police affairs, humanitarian affairs and the Vice-President’s office gives him exposure to several areas of government administration.
Walson-Jack leaves after two years in office
Enitan will replace Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who became Head of the Civil Service of the Federation in August 2024.
Tinubu appointed Walson-Jack to replace Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, with her tenure formally beginning on 14 August 2024. Before taking the top civil service position, she had served as a Federal Permanent Secretary since 2017.
The President thanked Walson-Jack for her service and praised the reforms and innovations recorded during her time in office.
Tinubu also wished her well in retirement and expressed the government’s appreciation for her contribution to public service.
Her departure is based on the statutory retirement requirement and should not be confused with a dismissal or political removal.
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