Tinubu swears in Enitan as new Head of Service

President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Abel Enitan as the new Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

Enitan was sworn in on Thursday at a brief ceremony at the State House, Abuja, where he formally assumed office following the retirement of his predecessor, Didi Walson-Jack.

Walson-Jack retired from the Federal Civil Service after attaining the statutory retirement age of 60.

The formal handover also took place on Thursday, with Walson-Jack and Enitan signing 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.”

After presenting the document, the two officials exchanged a handshake, marking the formal transfer of responsibilities to Enitan.

Enitan, who is from Osun State, is the most senior Permanent Secretary in the Federal Civil Service. He had served as a Permanent Secretary for seven years and seven months before his appointment.

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 had appointed Enitan on August 19, 2026, with the appointment taking effect on August 27.

In announcing the appointment, the President said Enitan “brings considerable institutional experience and a deep understanding of how the Federal Civil Service works to his new responsibility.”

Tinubu charged the new Head of Service to consolidate the reforms and innovations already underway, deepen professionalism and efficiency across the service, and build a more effective and responsive Civil Service.

The President further urged Enitan to lead a Civil Service that is “professional, merit-driven, accountable, innovative, and responsive to Nigerians’ needs and aspirations.”

Tinubu also expressed his appreciation to Walson-Jack for her service to the nation and for 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 obtaining a B.Sc. in Finance and Banking from the University of Lagos in 1988.

He obtained an M.Sc. in Public Policy Analysis from Nasarawa State University in 2015.