President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Mr Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan as the new Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, HOCSF, effective August 27, 2026.
The appointment was announced in a statement issued on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
Enitan, who hails from Osun State, will succeed Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who is due to retire from the Federal Civil Service upon attaining the statutory retirement age of 60.
According to the statement, Enitan 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, serving at the Ministry of Police Affairs, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the Office of the Vice President.
The Presidency said his extensive experience in the Federal Civil Service positioned him for the new responsibility.
“Mr Enitan brings considerable institutional experience and a deep understanding of how the Federal Civil Service works to his new responsibility,” the statement said.
President Tinubu also commended the outgoing Head of Service, Walson-Jack, for her contributions to the development of the Civil Service during her tenure.
The President expressed his “profound appreciation” to Walson-Jack for her “distinguished service to the nation” and the reforms, impact and innovations recorded under her leadership.
He also wished her “a fulfilling and successful life after service,” while conveying the nation’s gratitude for her years of dedicated and impactful public service.
Tinubu charged Enitan to build on the reforms already introduced in the Civil Service while strengthening professionalism, efficiency and responsiveness across the service.
According to the President, the incoming Head of Service must lead a Civil Service that is “professional, merit-driven, accountable, innovative, and responsive to Nigerians’ needs and aspirations.”
He further tasked Enitan with ensuring that the Federal Civil Service becomes more effective in supporting the delivery of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
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 obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Banking from the University of Lagos in 1988 and later earned a Master of Science degree in Public Policy Analysis from Nasarawa State University, Lafia, in 2015.
The appointment takes effect on August 27, when Walson-Jack is expected to retire from service.
