President Bola Tinubu has sworn in the new Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack.
Walson-Jack was sworn in at approximately 1:00 pm on Monday at the Council Chamber of the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja, just before the start of the Federal Executive Council meeting.
She succeeded Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan, who served as the substantive Head of Service (HoS) from March 4, 2020, until August 12, 2024, one day before reaching the retirement age of 60.
The swearing-in ceremony follows nearly a month after the President approved her appointment on July 17.
While receiving the new Head of Service, Tinubu said, “You’re stepping into very big shoes, and we pray that God continues to guide you, provide you with wisdom and enhance your integrity to serve this country and the civil service in the most successful way.”
The President also thanked the outgoing HoS for what he called “an exceptional tenure.”
He said, “Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan must be thanked for her exceptional tenure as Head of Service. We thank her for her commitment, duty and loyalty.
“As she steps down, we express our deep gratitude for her unwavering commitment to the service of her country. As we bid farewell to her, we are also hear to swear in officially the new Head of Service.”
Born on August 27, 1966, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Walson-Jack earned a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Lagos and was called to the bar in 1987.
She served as Solicitor-General of Bayelsa State and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice in July 2002.
Her career in the Federal Civil Service began at the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, where she was the pioneer State Coordinator of the Rivers State Office.
Walson-Jack is also an alumna of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Plateau State, Nigeria.
Before her recent appointment, she served as the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education starting in January 2024, following the retirement of the previous Permanent Secretary, Mr. David Andrew Adejo.
After the swearing-in ceremony, President Tinubu proceeded to preside over the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
A week earlier, the President had postponed the FEC meeting to hold a discussion with his Security Chiefs regarding nationwide protests.
The council is expected to deliberate on several matters, including memos that were deferred at the last meeting on July 29. According to the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, these include the Natalla-Boru Road in Kano State, the Ojo-Odum-Okuku Road in Benue State, and the Umuahia-Aba road project by Arab Contractors, which is reportedly “85 percent complete.”
