The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, has formally handed over the leadership of the Federal Civil Service to Mr Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan following her retirement from service at the statutory age of 60.
The handover ceremony, held in Abuja, came shortly after President Bola Tinubu swore in Enitan as the new Head of the Civil Service of the Federation at the State House.
Enitan’s appointment, which took effect on August 27, 2026, was announced by the Presidency on August 19.
Speaking at the ceremony, Walson-Jack expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for giving her the opportunity to serve the country 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, as well as Permanent Secretaries, Directors, Heads of Agencies and other civil servants, for their support, cooperation and commitment during her tenure.
Reflecting on her two years in office, the outgoing HCSF described her tenure as a period of significant achievements and challenges.
She said the collective efforts of civil servants, coupled with divine grace, enabled the service to navigate the challenges and make progress in advancing the Federal Civil Service reform agenda.
Walson-Jack stressed that reforming the Civil Service was not about individuals but about strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to provide quality public services through competent, professional and committed civil servants.
She urged workers to sustain the reforms and remain committed to improving service delivery to Nigerians.
In his remarks, Enitan thanked President Tinubu for the confidence reposed in him and acknowledged the responsibility attached to leading the Federal Civil Service.
He commended Walson-Jack for her contributions to the transformation of the service, saying her tenure advanced key reforms and provided a strong foundation for continued progress.
The new HCSF pledged to build on the reforms already established while strengthening the EPIC Culture — Efficiency, Productivity, Incorruptibility and Citizen-Centredness across the Federal Civil Service.
Enitan called for the continued cooperation of Permanent Secretaries, Directors and the entire workforce, stressing that effective public service delivery requires collective ownership and commitment.
He said his administration would prioritise improved efficiency, professionalism and service delivery in line with the expectations of Nigerians.
The new HCSF also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve and pledged to contribute his experience and capacity towards building a more efficient and citizen-focused Federal Civil Service.
