President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, swore-in a new Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack.
Walson-Jack took the oath of office at about 1:00 pm at the Council Chamber of the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, yesterday, just before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting. She succeeds Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan, who served as the substantive HoS from March 4, 2020, until August 12, 2024, a day before she attained the retirement age of 60. The swearing-in ceremony comes nearly a month after the President, on July 17, approved her appointment.
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. FolashadeYemi-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 here to swear in officially the new Head of Service.”
Born in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on August 27, 1966, Walson-Jack holds a Bachelor’s 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 commenced at the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, where she served as pioneer State Coordinator of the Rivers State Office of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.
She is an alumna of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Plateau State, Nigeria.
Until her latest appointment, Walson-Jack served as the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education since January 2024, following the retirement of the substantive Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. David Andrew Adejo. After the swearing-in ceremony, Tinubu proceeded to preside over the FEC meeting.
A week earlier, the President postponed the meeting for another meeting with his Security Chiefs to discuss the nationwide protests.
The council is expected to, among other matters, deliberate on memos which were stepped down at its last meeting on July 29.
According to the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, they 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, he said, is “85 per cent complete.”
