President Bola Tinubu has administered the oath of office to the new Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack.
At approximately 1:00 pm on Monday, Walson-Jack took the oath of office at the Council Chamber of the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja, just before the Federal Executive Council meeting commenced.
She has succeeded Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan, who held the position of the substantive HoS from March 4, 2020, until August 12, 2024, retiring a day before reaching the age of 60.
The swearing-in ceremony occurred almost a month after Tinubu approved her appointment on July 17.
Upon welcoming the new Head of Service, Tinubu remarked, “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 expressed gratitude towards the outgoing HoS for what he described as “an exceptional tenure.”
He stated, “Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan must be appreciated for her exceptional tenure as Head of Service. We acknowledge her commitment, duty, and loyalty.
“As she transitions, we offer our profound appreciation for her unyielding dedication to serving her country. As we bid her farewell, we are also here to officially swear in 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 previously held the position of Solicitor-General of Bayelsa State and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice in July 2002.
Her journey in the Federal Civil Service began at the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, where she served as the 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.
Prior to her current appointment, Walson-Jack served as the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education since January 2024, succeeding the retiring substantive Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. David Andrew Adejo.
Following the swearing-in ceremony, Tinubu proceeded to preside over the FEC meeting.
The President had postponed the meeting a week earlier for a session with his Security Chiefs to address the nationwide protests.
Among other topics, the council is set to review memos that were deferred from its previous meeting on July 29 according to the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi. These memos 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, reported to be “85 per cent complete.”