Tinubu Appoints Enitan New Head of Civil Service, Succeeds Walson-Jack

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan as the new Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), effective August 27, 2026.

Enitan succeeds 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 in a statement issued on Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

Enitan, an indigene of Osun State, is currently the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Education and is the most senior Permanent Secretary in the Federal Civil Service.

He has spent seven years and seven months as a Permanent Secretary, during which he served in the Ministry of Police Affairs, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the Office of the Vice President.

According to the Presidency, his extensive experience across key government institutions gives him considerable knowledge of the workings of the Federal Civil Service and positions him to lead the service at a critical period.

President Tinubu commended the outgoing Head of Service, Walson-Jack, for her contributions to the development of the Civil Service, particularly the reforms, innovations and institutional improvements recorded during her tenure.

The President expressed appreciation for her years of dedicated public service and wished her a fulfilling and successful life after retirement.

Tinubu charged the incoming Head of Service to sustain and strengthen ongoing reforms while promoting greater professionalism, efficiency and accountability across the Federal Civil Service.

He further tasked Enitan with building a responsive and innovative public service capable of effectively supporting the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and meeting the needs and aspirations of Nigerians.

The President said the Civil Service under the new leadership must remain merit-driven, professional, accountable and responsive to citizens.

Profile of the New Head of Service

Enitan was born on December 12, 1966.

He obtained his secondary education at Ajibode Grammar School, Ibadan, and the College of Arts and Science, Ile-Ife, before proceeding to the University of Lagos.

He graduated from the University of Lagos 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.

Enitan will assume office on August 27, 2026, following the retirement of Walson-Jack.