President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Abel Enitan as the new Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
Enitan was sworn in on Thursday at a brief ceremony held 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 her handover note to her successor.
While presenting the document, Walson-Jack said, “To hand over to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr Enitan Abel, her handover note for the period covering Wednesday 14th August 2024 to 27 August 2026.”
The two officials subsequently exchanged a handshake, marking the formal transfer of responsibilities.
Enitan, an indigene of Osun State, was the most senior Permanent Secretary in the Federal Civil Service before his appointment. He had served as a Permanent Secretary for seven years and seven months.
He previously served at the Ministry of Police Affairs, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the Office of the Vice President before his posting to the Federal Ministry of Education, where he served as Permanent Secretary.
Tinubu had appointed Enitan on August 19, 2026, with the appointment taking effect on August 27.
At the time of 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, and building a more effective and responsive Civil Service.
The President also urged him to lead a service that is “professional, merit-driven, accountable, innovative, and responsive to Nigerians’ needs and aspirations.”
Tinubu expressed appreciation to Walson-Jack for her service to the country, particularly 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 obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Banking from the University of Lagos in 1988.
He later obtained a Master of Science degree in Public Policy Analysis from Nasarawa State University in 2015.