President Tinubu Swears In New Head Of Civil Service

Abuja, Nigeria– President Bola Tinubu inaugurated Mrs Didi Walson-Jack as the new Head of Civil Service of the Federation during a ceremony at the Aso Rock Villa’s Council Chamber on Monday.

The oath-taking took place around 1:00 pm, just before the Federal Executive Council meeting.

Mrs Walson-Jack succeeds Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan, who held the position from March 4, 2020, until August 12, 2024, a day before reaching retirement age.

The swearing-in follows President Tinubu’s approval of her appointment on July 17. In his remarks, President Tinubu acknowledged the challenges of her new role and expressed his hopes for divine guidance, wisdom, and integrity in her service.

He also commended Dr. Yemi-Esan for her “exceptional tenure,” noting her commitment and loyalty.

Born on August 27, 1966, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Walson-Jack earned a Bachelor’s in Law from the University of Lagos and was called to the bar in 1987. She previously served as the Solicitor-General of Bayelsa State and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice.

Her career in the Federal Civil Service began as the pioneer State Coordinator of the Rivers State Office at the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.

An alumna of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Plateau State, Walson-Jack was most recently the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, a role she assumed in January 2024.

Following the swearing-in, President Tinubu led the Federal Executive Council meeting, which had been postponed the previous week to address nationwide protests with security officials.

The council is expected to review deferred memos from the July 29 meeting, including various road projects such as the Natalla-Boru Road in Kano State, the Ojo-Odum-Okuku Road in Benue State, and the Umuahia-Aba road project, which is reportedly “85 percent complete,” according to Minister of Works Dave Umahi.