59-year-old Enitan appointed new Head of Civil Service of Federation

By Stephen Oladele

President Bola Tinubu has appointed a 59-year-old man, Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, as the new Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

Enitan who is described as the most Senior Permanent Secretary in the Civil Service was appointed as the incumbent Head of the service, Mrs Didi Esther Walson -Jack is retiring soon at the statutory age of 60.

The new appointee whose date of birth is given as December 12, 1966 may however not spend more than four months in the office as he also would be clocking 60 years of age by December this year.

Enitan’s appointment as contained in a statement from the State House in Abuja will take effect from August 27, 2026.

The statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said that Enitan who hails from Osun State had served as Permanent Secretary for seven years and seven months.

According to the statement, President Tinubu, while appreciating the retiring walson-Jack for her distinguished service to the nation charged the incoming Head of the Civil Service to consolidate on reforms and innovations already underway and build a more effective and responsive civil service.

The statement reads: ‘President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Mr Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan as the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, effective August 27, 2026.

“Mr Enitan succeeds Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who will retire soon from the Federal Civil Service upon attaining the statutory retirement age of 60.

“Mr Enitan, from Osun State, is the most senior Permanent Secretary in the Federal Civil Service.

“He has served as Permanent Secretary for seven years and seven months, working at the Ministry of Police Affairs, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and the Office of the Vice President. He is currently the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Education. 

“He brings considerable institutional experience and a deep understanding of how the Federal Civil Service works to his new responsibility.

“President Tinubu expresses his profound appreciation to Mrs Walson-Jack for her distinguished service to the nation and for the reforms, impact and innovations witnessed in the Civil Service during her tenure. 

“The President wishes her a fulfilling and successful life after service and conveys the nation’s gratitude for her years of dedicated and impactful public service.

“President Tinubu charges the incoming Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to consolidate on the reforms and innovations already underway, deepen professionalism and efficiency across the service, and build a more effective and responsive Civil Service capable of delivering on the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

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

“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 and graduated in 1988 with a B.Sc. in Finance and Banking. 

“In 2015, Enitan obtained an M.Sc. in Public Policy Analysis from Nasarawa State University, Lafia.”