The recently concluded two-day Ministerial Retreat for the Development and Implementation of the 2025 Ministerial Performance Management System (PMS) brought together key stakeholders across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. Yet, among the array of top officials, one figure stood out for his strategic clarity, tireless energy, and unwavering commitment to national development—Mr. Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education.
Widely respected for his administrative brilliance and ethical standards, Mr. Enitan approached the retreat not merely as a bureaucratic event, but as an opportunity to drive substantial transformation within the education sector. With a meticulous and passionate presence, he stormed the venue, fully prepared and deeply coordinated, embodying the very ideals that the Performance Management System seeks to institutionalize across the civil service.
Nicknamed by admirers as “Mr. Matter ” as it’s defined anything that has weight and occupies spaces ‘ Mr. Enitan continues to build a reputation as a dedicated public servant who embodies the very engine room of educational reform in Nigeria. His proactive engagement, collaborative spirit, and structured approach to challenges speak volumes of his readiness to steer the gigantic ministry towards measurable impact.
Despite the vastness of the task, Mr. Enitan remains remarkably youthful in energy and outlook, combining experience with agility. He catered to the needs of all stakeholders during the retreat with inclusive leadership, yet firmly held onto strict standards that ensure accountability and performance-based outcomes.
Under his leadership, the Ministry of Education has taken bold steps to align itself with national objectives for sustainable development and global competitiveness. His passion for progressive partnerships and openness to ideas foster an environment where hard work and innovation are not only encouraged but expected.
A complete “appraisal man” in the truest sense, Mr. Enitan is known for recognizing talent, promoting meritocracy, and nurturing forward-thinking individuals who can contribute to the advancement of the education sector. His mantra is clear: performance is not negotiable.
As Nigeria moves closer to achieving the vision outlined in the 2025 Ministerial Performance Management System, Mr. Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan stands as a pillar of integrity and inspiration. His role at the retreat was not just symbolic—it was a decisive demonstration of how purposeful leadership can turn policy into progress.
In every sense of the word, he came, he saw, and he is conquering—one strategic reform at a time.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.