Enitan to Take Over on August 27

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan as the new Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

Enitan will assume office on August 27, 2026.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, announced the appointment on Wednesday.

Enitan will succeed Didi Esther Walson-Jack. She will retire from the Federal Civil Service after reaching the statutory retirement age of 60.

Enitan Brings Seven Years of Permanent Secretary Experience

Enitan, who is from Osun State, currently serves as Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Education.

He is the most senior Permanent Secretary in the Federal Civil Service. He has held the rank for seven years and seven months.

During his career, Enitan has worked in several key government offices. His previous assignments include the Ministry of Police Affairs, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the Office of the Vice President.

His experience across these institutions gives him a broad understanding of federal government operations.

As Head of the Civil Service, Enitan will oversee the federal civil service system. He will also play a key role in improving efficiency and professional standards across government institutions.

Tinubu Sets Priorities for New Head of Service

President Tinubu thanked Walson-Jack for her years of service to Nigeria.

The President also recognised the reforms and innovations recorded during her tenure. He wished her success after her retirement from public service.

Tinubu has asked Enitan to continue the reforms already underway in the civil service.

The President also wants him to strengthen professionalism and improve efficiency across government ministries and agencies.

Tinubu further directed the incoming Head of Service to promote a civil service based on merit, accountability and innovation.

He said the service must respond effectively to the needs and aspirations of Nigerians.

What the Appointment Means for Housing and Infrastructure

The effectiveness of the civil service affects many areas of Nigeria’s economy. Housing, land administration and infrastructure development all depend on strong public institutions.

Federal housing programmes require coordination among ministries, departments and agencies. The same applies to land management, urban development, construction standards and infrastructure projects.

A more efficient civil service could therefore support faster implementation of government policies in these sectors.

The Office of the Head of the Civil Service also has a wider role in strengthening the systems that support federal administration. This makes the new appointment relevant to government programmes across the housing and infrastructure sectors.

Enitan’s Education and Career

Enitan was born on December 12, 1966.

He attended Ajibode Grammar School, Ibadan, and the College of Arts and Science, Ile-Ife.

He later studied at the University of Lagos. He graduated in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Banking.

In 2015, Enitan obtained a Master of Science degree in Public Policy Analysis from Nasarawa State University, Lafia.

His academic background combines finance with public policy. His career has also given him experience across different areas of federal administration.

New Chapter for the Federal Civil Service

Enitan will take charge of the Federal Civil Service as the government continues to pursue its Renewed Hope Agenda.

His immediate priorities will include building on existing reforms, improving efficiency and strengthening professionalism within the service.

His leadership will also matter to sectors such as housing, infrastructure, land administration and urban development, where effective government institutions remain important to policy delivery.

Enitan will formally assume the position on August 27, 2026, following the retirement of Walson-Jack.

The post Tinubu Appoints Abel Enitan as Head of Civil Service appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The Federal Government has started work on a 250-unit housing estate for civil servants in Gwagwalada, Abuja.

The project forms part of the Renewed Hope Housing Programme. It aims to give federal workers better access to affordable homeownership.

The groundbreaking ceremony took place on Wednesday. The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Engr. Muttaqha Rabe Darma, attended the event.

Also present was the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack. The Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Abdullahi Atta, also attended.

Senior government officials, traditional rulers and other stakeholders joined them at the ceremony.

250 Homes Planned for Civil Servants

The new estate will provide 250 two-bedroom bungalows. The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development will deliver the project together.

Darma said the estate would address an important need among federal workers. He noted that affordable housing could improve workers’ living conditions.

Better housing could also support productivity in the public service, the minister said.

Darma asked the contractors and consultants to follow high construction standards. He also urged the teams to ensure that the homes remain strong and durable.

The minister said the Gwagwalada project forms part of a wider housing programme. The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has projects across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

FG Lists More Housing Deliveries

Darma said the government plans to increase housing delivery before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s tenure ends in May 2027.

The minister said 122 rent-to-own homes would be ready before the end of August. He also listed several projects planned for delivery between September and December.

The projects include 252 homes in Lagos and 300 homes in Abuja. Another 2,800 units are planned for Karsana in Abuja.

The government also plans to deliver 2,000 units and another 1,500 units at other locations. A further 2,129 housing units are scheduled for December.

Darma said the government wants to move beyond housing announcements. He stressed the need to complete projects and hand homes to beneficiaries.

Civil Service Housing Programme

Walson-Jack described the Gwagwalada estate as an important step in improving civil servants’ welfare.

She said homeownership could give workers and their families greater security. It could also provide a lasting benefit after years of public service.

The HOCSF urged the project team to complete the estate on schedule. She also called for quality, affordability and transparency throughout the project.

Walson-Jack stressed that civil servants need completed homes. She said the government must focus on delivering houses rather than only holding groundbreaking ceremonies.

She disclosed that the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation currently has 305 housing units under the Federal Integrated Staff Housing Programme, known as FISH.

More than 40,000 civil servants have also benefited from housing loans through the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board, she said.

N10bn Annual Housing Loan Scheme

Walson-Jack also urged eligible civil servants to use the government’s housing finance options.

She referred to the approved N10 billion annual housing loan scheme provided through the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria.

The facility could help more federal workers pursue homeownership. Access to suitable housing finance remains important for workers who cannot afford to buy homes with their savings alone.

The HOCSF also called for more partnerships to provide homes for federal workers across the country.

She encouraged state governments to consider similar housing schemes for their employees.

Why the Abuja Project Matters

The Gwagwalada estate highlights the link between housing and worker welfare. For civil servants, affordable homes can reduce the financial pressure that comes with renting or buying property in major cities.

The project also shows the importance of housing finance alongside construction. Building homes alone may not solve the affordability challenge if workers cannot access suitable payment plans or mortgage loans.

For the Federal Government, the next test will be project delivery. Completing the 250 homes, maintaining construction quality and allocating them to eligible civil servants will determine the practical impact of the scheme.

The Gwagwalada project therefore adds to the government’s wider push to increase housing supply and improve access to homeownership for Nigerians.

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The Federal Government has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to immediately discontinue the practice of placing civil servants on mandatory three-month pre-retirement leave, clarifying that such a provision does not exist in the Public Service Rules (PSR).

The directive was issued by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, through a circular addressed to ministers, permanent secretaries, service chiefs, heads of agencies and other senior government officials.

In the circular titled “Correct Interpretation of Public Service Rule 120243 on Pre-Retirement Activities,” Walson-Jack noted that several MDAs had wrongly interpreted the three-month retirement notice period as an automatic leave entitlement, resulting in the premature withdrawal of officers from active service.

According to her, Public Service Rule 120243 only requires officers approaching retirement to provide three months’ notice, attend a one-month pre-retirement seminar or workshop, and utilise the remaining period to regularise service records and pension documentation.

“The so-called mandatory three-month pre-retirement leave has no basis in the Public Service Rules,” the Head of Service stated.

She explained that the rule establishes three separate obligations: notification of retirement, participation in approved pre-retirement programmes, and completion of administrative requirements before retirement.

The circular emphasised that retiring officers remain full public servants throughout the notice period and are expected to continue performing their official duties unless attending approved workshops or granted leave under existing regulations.

“PSR 120243 does not exempt retiring officers from official duties during the notice period, except where they are attending an approved pre-retirement workshop or seminar, or are otherwise authorised to be absent under extant leave rules,” the circular stated.

As a result, all MDAs have been directed to stop compelling officers due for retirement to vacate their offices before their official retirement dates.

Under the directive, retiring officers are expected to continue discharging their responsibilities while simultaneously participating in approved retirement preparation programmes and completing pension documentation processes.

The Head of Service also instructed permanent secretaries, directors-general, executive secretaries, chairpersons of statutory agencies and chief executives of government organisations to ensure strict compliance with the new directive.

The clarification is expected to impact thousands of federal civil servants approaching retirement annually.

For years, many government institutions treated the three-month notice period as a form of extended leave, often directing officers to stop reporting for work immediately after submitting retirement notices. The new directive seeks to standardise implementation of the Public Service Rules and prevent the loss of experienced manpower before official retirement dates.

The Federal Government believes the measure will improve service delivery by allowing retiring officers to continue contributing their expertise while completing retirement and pension documentation.

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The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has retired more than 1,600 staff in the past 18 months, leaving it significantly understaffed and creating critical skill gaps across its departments and state field offices.

Permanent Secretary, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, disclosed this during the flag-off of the Personnel Audit and Skills Gap Analysis (PASGA) Project in Abuja. He noted that the shortage of professionals has made project supervision increasingly difficult for the Ministry.

Belgore explained that the initiative is part of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP 25), led by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. The audit, he said, aims to update personnel records, identify capacity gaps, and improve workforce planning and reform efforts across the civil service.

Highlighting the Ministry’s mandate to provide affordable housing for Nigerians, Belgore commended staff for their dedication despite the constraints. “The lack of professionals makes supervision cumbersome for the few available officers, often requiring deployment from headquarters for state-level inspections,” he said.

He urged the team of consultants to conduct a thorough verification exercise and present detailed findings on the Ministry’s strengths and needs across all offices. According to him, the exercise will play a key role in shaping human resource development for the next generation of public servants.

Earlier, the CEO of Georgid Consulting, Mr. Isaac Idontenyi, emphasized the importance of an effective verification process to reposition the Federal Civil Service for improved efficiency and national growth. He announced that physical verification would begin Monday, covering data collection, performance management, leadership development, succession planning, training, recruitment, and placement.

Idontenyi added that technology tools would be used to ensure accurate data capture and comprehensive coverage nationwide.

Acting Director of Human Resource Management, Ayodele Ademola, described the exercise as a major step toward strengthening institutional capacity and aligning human resources with the Ministry’s renewed vision. He reaffirmed the Head of Service’s commitment to accountability, transparency, and excellence in public service.

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The Federal Government has honoured 18 outstanding civil servants with a range of rewards, including SUVs, laptops, cash prizes, and professional development opportunities. These awards recognize their dedication and exceptional service to the nation.

The award ceremony took place on Saturday night at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja. In addition to the 18 individuals, two Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) were also acknowledged for promoting excellence in public service.

Speaking at the event, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, described the honourees as “unsung heroes” who keep the public service running smoothly. She noted that this awards night marked the end of Civil Service Week, which included the first-ever International Civil Service Conference (ICSC) held in Abuja.

She praised the recipients as “quiet reformers” who show discipline, meet deadlines, write policies, and improve systems while maintaining a positive attitude. She stressed the importance of recognising these workers, saying, “We see you. We thank you. We honour you.”

Walson-Jack also explained that the awards ceremony is now a permanent part of the civil service calendar. It serves as a platform to celebrate those whose efforts often go unnoticed.

She highlighted President Bola Tinubu’s support for civil service reforms. She said his Renewed Hope Agenda shows a strong commitment to fairness, innovation, and reward. His presence at the recent ICSC opening further demonstrated his dedication to transforming the civil service.

She praised ongoing reforms such as the new minimum wage, pension improvements, digitisation, and better welfare packages. She also stressed the importance of punctuality, calling on civil servants to treat the 8 a.m. resumption time as a culture of respect.

She encouraged those who were not recognised this year to continue working hard, saying, “Recognition may take time, but it will come. Do your work so well that it cannot be ignored.”

Walson-Jack expressed concern about MDAs that did not submit nominations or sent in unqualified candidates. She urged them to take future editions more seriously.

Among the awardees, Dr. Bahijjatu Hadiza from the Federal Ministry of Environment received the presidential star prize, which included an SUV, laptop, plaque, award certificate, a foreign short course, and a masterclass opportunity.

Chukwudi Ekwenugo from the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy received an SUV, ₦500,000 cash, a laptop, and similar training opportunities.

Other recipients got laptops, cash prizes ranging from ₦250,000 to ₦500,000, housing benefits, and professional development packages.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, who represented President Tinubu, praised the resilience and commitment of Nigerian civil servants. He described them as the backbone of governance and national development.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a public service based on merit, innovation, and accountability.

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