President Bola Tinubu has appointed Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan as the new Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, with the appointment taking effect from Thursday, August 27, 2026. The announcement was made on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga.
Enitan Takes Over from Retiring Didi Walson-Jack
Enitan, a native of Osun State, succeeds Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who is set to retire from the Federal Civil Service upon reaching the statutory retirement age of 60. The outgoing head of service was commended by President Tinubu for her service, with the president pointing to the reforms and innovations recorded in the Civil Service under her watch. Tinubu conveyed the nation's gratitude for her years of dedicated public service and wished her well in retirement.
Enitan currently holds the position of Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Education and is the most senior Permanent Secretary across the Federal Civil Service. He has been in that role for seven years and seven months, during which he served at the Ministry of Police Affairs, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and the Office of the Vice President.
Background of Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan
Born on December 12, 1966, Enitan attended Ajibode Grammar School in Ibadan and the College of Arts and Science in Ile-Ife before proceeding to the University of Lagos, where he graduated in 1988 with a B.Sc. in Finance and Banking. He later earned an M.Sc. in Public Policy Analysis from Nasarawa State University, Lafia, in 2015.
According to the presidential statement released by Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu charged Enitan to build on ongoing reforms, strengthen professionalism and efficiency across government ministries, and deliver a Civil Service that can support the administration's Renewed Hope Agenda. The president also urged him to lead in a way that is merit-driven, accountable, and directly responsive to the needs of Nigerians.
Tinubu Sets Clear Direction for New Civil Service Head
The appointment comes as part of President Tinubu's broader efforts to reshape the federal civil service. The president has set a clear direction for Enitan, emphasising the need to continue reforms and improve efficiency. The new head of service is expected to focus on strengthening professionalism across government ministries and ensuring the civil service supports the administration's policy agenda.
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that former Bayelsa East Senator, Ben Murray-Bruce, urged President Tinubu to appoint more people he described as “mad men” into his administration, saying Nigeria needs officials bold enough to challenge entrenched interests and confront a broken system. Murray-Bruce, in a statement directed at the president, said his support for the administration would not stop him from offering constructive criticism, stressing that genuine support should not amount to sycophancy.
