ABUJA — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Mr. Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan as the new Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), in a major leadership change at the apex of Nigeria’s federal bureaucracy.
The appointment takes effect from August 27, 2026, according to an official statement from the State House on Wednesday.
Enitan, an indigene of 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.
The incoming Head of Service is currently the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, and is the most senior Permanent Secretary in the Federal Civil Service.
With seven years and seven months of experience as a Permanent Secretary, Enitan has served in several strategic government institutions, including the Ministry of Police Affairs, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the Office of the Vice President, before his current posting to the Federal Ministry of Education.
The Presidency said his extensive experience across key government institutions has given him considerable knowledge of the workings of the Federal Civil Service and positioned him for the new responsibility.
President Tinubu charged the incoming Head of the Civil Service to consolidate the reforms and innovations already underway in the federal bureaucracy while deepening professionalism and efficiency across the service.
He also tasked Enitan with building a more effective, responsive and service-oriented Civil Service capable of supporting the delivery of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to the Presidency, the new Head of Service is expected to promote a Civil Service that is professional, merit-driven, accountable, innovative and responsive to the needs and aspirations of Nigerians.
The President also expressed appreciation to the outgoing Head of Service, Didi Esther Walson-Jack, for her contributions to the development of the Federal Civil Service, particularly the reforms, innovations and institutional improvements recorded during her tenure.
Tinubu wished Walson-Jack a fulfilling post-retirement life and acknowledged her years of dedicated service to the nation.
Enitan’s elevation comes at a critical period for Nigeria’s public service, with the Federal Government seeking to improve efficiency, accountability, digital transformation and service delivery across its institutions.
His experience spanning several ministries and the Office of the Vice President is expected to be brought to bear on the administration of the federal bureaucracy.
As the most senior Permanent Secretary at the time of his appointment, his emergence also reflects the importance of institutional experience and continuity in the management of Nigeria’s public service.
The new HCSF will formally assume office on August 27, succeeding Walson-Jack and taking charge of the administrative machinery responsible for coordinating Nigeria’s federal civil service.
The appointment has already been reported by major Nigerian media organisations, including Channels Television, The Guardian, Vanguard and PRNigeria, in addition to the official confirmation from the State House.
Pioneer News Desk
Abuja
Primary source: The State House — official presidential announcement
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