President Tinubu Swears in Abel Enitan as New Head of Service

President Tinubu has sworn in Abel Enitan as the new Head of Service.

Philips News reports that President Bola Tinubu swore in Enitan on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at a brief ceremony at the State House, Abuja, where he formally assumed office after the retirement of his predecessor, Didi Walson-Jack.

This newspaper understands that Walson-Jack retired from the Federal Civil Service after attaining 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 successor with the handover note.

Walson-Jack said while presenting the document, “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.”

After presenting the document, the two officials exchanged a handshake, marking the formal transfer of responsibilities to Enitan.

Enitan, who is from 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.

The new Head of Service 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.

The President had appointed Enitan on August 19, 2026, with the appointment taking effect on August 27.

In announcing the appointment, President Tinubu said Enitan “brings considerable institutional experience and a deep understanding of how the Federal Civil Service works to his new responsibility.”

The President charged the new Head of Service to consolidate the reforms and innovations already underway, deepen professionalism and efficiency across the service, and build a more effective and responsive Civil Service.

President Tinubu further urged Enitan to lead a Civil Service that is “professional, merit-driven, accountable, innovative, and responsive to Nigerians’ needs and aspirations.”

PhilipsNews understands that the President also expressed his appreciation to Walson-Jack for her service to the nation and for the “reforms, impact and innovations witnessed in the Civil Service during her tenure.”

Born on December 12, 1966, Enitan attended Ajibode Grammar School, Ibadan, and the College of Arts and Science, Ile-Ife, before obtaining a B.Sc. in Finance and Banking from the University of Lagos in 1988.

Enitan obtained an M.Sc. in Public Policy Analysis from Nasarawa State University in 2015.