President Bola Tinubu has appointed the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Abel Enitan, as the new Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, effective August 27, 2026. Enitan will succeed Mrs 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 Abuja on Wednesday in a statement issued by the President’s Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga. Enitan, who is from Osun State, is the most senior Permanent Secretary in the Federal Civil Service, having served in that capacity for seven years and seven months.
Enitan has served at the Ministry of Police Affairs, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the Office of the Vice President. He is currently the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education.
According to the Presidency, Enitan brings considerable institutional experience and a deep understanding of the operations of the Federal Civil Service to his new responsibility.
President Tinubu expressed his appreciation to Walson-Jack for her distinguished service to the nation, as well as the reforms, impact and innovations recorded in the Civil Service during her tenure.
The President also wished Walson-Jack a fulfilling and successful life after service and conveyed the nation’s gratitude for her years of dedicated and impactful public service.
Speaking on the new appointment, Tinubu charged Enitan to consolidate existing reforms and innovations, deepen professionalism and efficiency, and build a more effective and responsive Civil Service.
He further urged the incoming Head of Service to lead a Civil Service that is professional, merit-driven, accountable, innovative and responsive to the needs and aspirations of Nigerians.
Enitan was born on December 12, 1966. He had his secondary education at Ajibode Grammar School, Ibadan, and the College of Arts and Science, Ile-Ife.
He later attended the University of Lagos, where he graduated in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Banking.
In 2015, Enitan obtained a Master of Science degree in Public Policy Analysis from Nasarawa State University, Lafia.
