Walson-Jack passes baton to Enitan as new Head of the Civil Service of the Federation
Enitan’s appointment took effect as from August 27, 2026.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, has formally handed over leadership of the Federal Civil Service to Mr Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, urging civil servants to sustain the momentum of ongoing reforms.
Walson-Jack handed over to Enitan in Abuja on Thursday, following her retirement from the civil service after attaining the statutory retirement age of 60.
The handover followed Enitan’s swearing-in as the new HCSF by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House, Abuja. His appointment took effect on August 27, 2026, and the Presidency announced it on August 19.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Walson-Jack thanked President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve the nation at the highest level of the Federal Civil Service.
She also thanked the management and staff of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), Permanent Secretaries, Directors, Heads of Agencies, and the entire workforce for their support and partnership during her tenure.
Reflecting on her two years in office, the former HCSF described the period as a journey of significant achievements and formidable challenges, saying the collective efforts of civil servants enabled the Office to advance the reform agenda.
Walson-Jack stressed that transforming the Civil Service was not about individuals but about Nigeria and the collective responsibility to provide citizens with quality public services through competent, professional and committed public servants.
She urged civil servants to maintain the reform momentum and ensure continuity in efforts to build a more efficient, professional and responsive public service.
In his response, Enitan thanked President Tinubu for the confidence reposed in him, acknowledging the enormous responsibility that comes with leading the Federal Civil Service.
He commended Walson-Jack for her contributions to the transformation of the Service, describing her tenure as one that advanced key reforms and laid a strong foundation for continued progress.
Enitan pledged to consolidate the gains of the reforms while strengthening the EPIC culture of Efficiency, Productivity, Incorruptibility and Citizen-Centredness across the Service.
The new HCSF also pledged to approach the assignment with humility, dedication and a strong sense of duty, with a focus on improving efficiency, professionalism and service delivery
He called for the continued cooperation of Permanent Secretaries, Directors and the entire workforce, stressing that the success of the Civil Service depended on collective ownership of its mandate and a shared commitment to delivering better outcomes for Nigerians.
