President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday formally swore in Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan as the new Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF).
The brief ceremony was held at the State House in Abuja, marking the commencement of Enitan’s tenure as Nigeria’s chief administrative officer.
Enitan succeeds Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who retired from service after attaining the mandatory retirement age of 60.
President Tinubu had on August 19, 2026, appointed Enitan, the most senior Permanent Secretary at the time, as the new Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
During the swearing-in ceremony, Tinubu congratulated Enitan on his appointment and charged him to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, accountability and efficiency in the Federal Civil Service.
Who is Abel Enitan?
Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan was born on December 12, 1966, and is an indigene of Osun State.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Lagos and a Master’s degree in Public Policy Analysis from Nasarawa State University, Keffi.
Enitan joined the Federal Civil Service in 1998 as a Senior Operations Officer with the now-discontinued Family Economic Advancement Programme (FEAP).
He subsequently served at the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs before moving to the Office of the Vice President at the State House.
At the State House, Enitan served as Chief Administrative Officer and rose to the position of Director, a role he held between 2010 and 2018.
He was appointed a Permanent Secretary in December 2018 and posted to the Federal Civil Service Commission.
Over the years, he served in several ministries, including the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Police Affairs, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, and Ministry of Education.
His latest appointment as Head of the Civil Service of the Federation marks another significant stage in his career in Nigeria’s public service.
Former Head of Service attends ceremony
The immediate past Head of Service, Didi Esther Walson-Jack, was present at the swearing-in ceremony alongside her husband, Hon. Nimi Walson-Jack.
Also in attendance were Enitan’s wife, Mrs Olawunmi Ololade Enitan, and the Permanent Secretary, State House, Mr Peter Fashedemi.
Enitan’s appointment comes as the Federal Government continues efforts to strengthen professionalism, efficiency and accountability within the Nigerian Civil Service.
The new Head of Service is expected to provide administrative leadership for the Federal Civil Service and drive reforms aimed at improving public sector effectiveness under the Tinubu administration.
