By President Bola Tinubu has installed a new Head of Service, swearing in Abel Enitan at a brief ceremony at the State House, Abuja on Thursday. Enitan’s appointment as the country’s new Head of Service takes effect immediately, following the retirement of his predecessor, Didi Walson-Jack, who stepped down after reaching the statutory retirement age of 60.
The handover accompanying the arrival of the new Head of Service was formalised the same day, with both officials signing documents before Walson-Jack presented her handover note. “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,” she said, before the two exchanged a handshake to mark the transfer of responsibilities.
Who is Nigeria’s new Head of Service?
Enitan, who hails from Osun State, arrives at the role as the most senior Permanent Secretary in the Federal Civil Service, having held that rank for seven years and seven months before his elevation. His path to becoming the new Head of Service ran through postings at the Ministry of Police Affairs, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and the Office of the Vice President, before he became Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Education.
Born on December 12, 1966, Enitan attended Ajibode Grammar School in Ibadan and the College of Arts and Science in Ile-Ife. He went on to earn a B.Sc. in Finance and Banking from the University of Lagos in 1988, followed by an M.Sc. in Public Policy Analysis from Nasarawa State University in 2015.
Tinubu first appointed Enitan on August 19, 2026, with the appointment formally taking effect on August 27. Announcing the choice, the President said the incoming new Head of Service “brings considerable institutional experience and a deep understanding of how the Federal Civil Service works to his new responsibility.”
What Tinubu expects from the new Head of Service
Tinubu charged Enitan to consolidate the reforms already underway, deepen professionalism and efficiency across the service, and build a Civil Service that is more effective and responsive. He urged the new Head of Service to lead an institution that is “professional, merit-driven, accountable, innovative, and responsive to Nigerians’ needs and aspirations.”
The President also thanked Walson-Jack for her service, crediting her tenure with “reforms, impact and innovations witnessed in the Civil Service.” With the swearing-in complete, attention now turns to how Nigeria’s new Head of Service will carry that legacy forward.
