President Tinubu appoints Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan as Head of Nigeria’s Civil Service

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

Enitan replaces Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who is set to retire from the Federal Civil Service after attaining the statutory retirement age of 60.

A native of Osun State, Enitan is currently the most senior Permanent Secretary in the Federal Civil Service. He has served as a Permanent Secretary for seven years and seven months, with experience across key government institutions including the Ministry of Police Affairs, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and the Office of the Vice President.

He is presently the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Education and is expected to bring extensive institutional knowledge and administrative experience to his new role.

President Tinubu commended Mrs Walson-Jack for her service to the nation, recognising her contributions to reforms, innovations, and improvements recorded in the Civil Service during her tenure.

The President also charged Enitan to build on existing reforms, strengthen professionalism and efficiency, and lead a Civil Service that is accountable, merit-based, innovative, and responsive to the needs of Nigerians under the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Enitan was born on December 12, 1966. He received his secondary education at Ajibode Grammar School, Ibadan, and the College of Arts and Science, Ile-Ife.

He later joined the University of Lagos, where he graduated 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.

The appointment was announced by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser, to the President of Information and Strategy on August 19, 2026.