Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sworn in Abel Enitan as the new Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
Enitan assumed office on Thursday at a brief ceremony at the State House, Abuja, following the retirement of his predecessor, Didi Walson-Jack, who attained the statutory retirement age of 60.
The formal transfer of responsibilities also took place at the State House, with Walson-Jack and Enitan signing the relevant official documents before the outgoing Head of Service presented the handover note to her successor.
While presenting the document, Walson-Jack said, “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.”
The two officials subsequently exchanged a handshake, marking the formal transition.
Enitan, who hails from Osun State, is the most senior Permanent Secretary in the Federal Civil Service. He served as a Permanent Secretary for seven years and seven months before his appointment as Head of Service.
He previously served at the Ministry of Police Affairs, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the Office of the Vice President before becoming Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Education.
President Tinubu appointed Enitan on August 19, 2026, with the appointment taking effect on August 27.
Announcing the appointment, Tinubu said Enitan “brings considerable institutional experience and a deep understanding of how the Federal Civil Service works to his new responsibility.”
The President charged the new Head of Service to consolidate ongoing reforms and innovations, deepen professionalism and efficiency across the service, and promote a more effective and responsive Civil Service.
Tinubu urged Enitan to lead a Civil Service that is “professional, merit-driven, accountable, innovative, and responsive to Nigerians’ needs and aspirations.”
The President also commended Walson-Jack for her service to the country and the “reforms, impact and innovations witnessed in the Civil Service during her tenure.”
Enitan was born on December 12, 1966. He attended Ajibode Grammar School, Ibadan, and the College of Arts and Science, Ile-Ife, before earning a B.Sc. in Finance and Banking from the University of Lagos in 1988. He later obtained an M.Sc. in Public Policy Analysis from Nasarawa State University in 2015.
