President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Abel Enitan as the new Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF).
Enitan was sworn in on Thursday at a brief ceremony at the State House, Abuja, following the retirement of his predecessor, Didi Walson-Jack, who attained the statutory retirement age of 60.
The formal handover also took place on Thursday, with Walson-Jack and Enitan signing official documents before the outgoing Head of Service presented the handover note to her successor.
While presenting the document, Walson-Jack said it covered the period from August 14, 2024, to August 27, 2026.
The two officials subsequently exchanged a handshake, marking the formal transfer of responsibilities to Enitan.
Enitan, an indigene of Osun State, is the most senior Permanent Secretary in the Federal Civil Service. He had served as a Permanent Secretary for seven years and seven months before his appointment as Head of Service.
He previously served at the Ministry of Police Affairs, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the Office of the Vice President before becoming Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Education.
Tinubu appointed Enitan on August 19, 2026, with the appointment taking effect on August 27.
Announcing the appointment, the President said Enitan “brings considerable institutional experience and a deep understanding of how the Federal Civil Service works to his new responsibility.”
Tinubu charged the new Head of Service with consolidating ongoing reforms and innovations, deepening professionalism and efficiency across the service, and building a more effective and responsive Civil Service.
The President also urged Enitan to lead a Civil Service that is “professional, merit-driven, accountable, innovative, and responsive to Nigerians’ needs and aspirations.”
Tinubu commended Walson-Jack for her service to the nation and for the “reforms, impact and innovations witnessed in the Civil Service during her tenure.”
Enitan was born on December 12, 1966. He attended Ajibode Grammar School, Ibadan, and the College of Arts and Science, Ile-Ife, before earning a B.Sc. in Finance and Banking from the University of Lagos in 1988.
He later obtained an M.Sc. in Public Policy Analysis from Nasarawa State University in 2015.
