President Bola Tinubu has officially sworn in Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack as the new Head of Civil Service of the Federation.
The oath-taking ceremony took place at around 1:00 pm on Monday at the Council Chamber of the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, just before the Federal Executive Council meeting.
Walson-Jack succeeds Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan, who served as the Head of Service from March 4, 2020, until August 12, 2024, a day before reaching the retirement age of 60.
The appointment of Walson-Jack was approved by the President on July 17, nearly a month before the swearing-in.
During the ceremony, President Tinubu acknowledged the significance of Walson-Jack’s new role, saying, “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 in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on August 27, 1966, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Lagos and was called to the bar in 1987.
She previously served as Solicitor-General of Bayelsa State and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice from July 2002.
Walson-Jack began her career in the Federal Civil Service at the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, where she was the pioneer State Coordinator of the Rivers State Office.
She is also an alumna of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies in Kuru, Plateau State, Nigeria.
Before her latest appointment as Head of Civil Service of the Federation, she was the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, starting in January 2024, following the retirement of Mr. David Andrew Adejo.
After her swearing-in ceremony, President Tinubu presided over the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, which had been postponed a week earlier for a discussion with Security Chiefs regarding nationwide protests.
The council is expected to address several memos that were deferred from the July 29 meeting, including projects such as 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 reported to be 85% complete, according to the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi.