Tragic Loss: FCT Head Of Civil Service, Mrs Grace Adayilo, Passes Away.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) mourns the sudden and tragic loss of Mrs Grace Adayilo, the Head of the Civil Service, who passed away in the early hours of Monday, 1 September 2025. Mrs Adayilo, a distinguished administrator and the first female and indigenous person to hold this prestigious position, reportedly collapsed and died, leaving a profound void in the FCT Administration.
Mrs Adayilo, fondly known as ‘Mama Africa’, was a trailblazer in public service. Her appointment as Head of the Civil Service by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in October 2024 was celebrated as a historic milestone, reflecting her extensive experience and dedication to the development of the FCT. Prior to this role, she served as the Permanent Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development and was the Education Secretary for the Abuja Municipal Area Council, where her transformative leadership revitalised the local education system.
Sources close to the administration revealed that Mrs Adayilo attended a church service on Sunday, where she appeared in good health and even made donations to the congregation. Her sudden passing the following morning has shocked colleagues and residents alike. Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communications and Social Media, confirmed the news, stating simply, “She has passed on.”
Mrs Adayilo’s contributions to the FCT were vast. She spearheaded initiatives such as the FCT Leadership Enhancement and Development Programme (FCT LEAD-P), aimed at nurturing young civil servants for effective public service. Her commitment to youth empowerment was evident in her support for the Abuja Enterprise Agency’s Youth Entrepreneurship Programme, which equipped young residents with vital skills. She also played a key role in securing a N70,000 minimum wage for FCT workers and approving a N795.6 million insurance cover for the territory’s assets, demonstrating her dedication to both staff welfare and administrative excellence.
Born on 24 December 1968 in Dutse-Alhaji, now part of Bwari Area Council, Mrs Adayilo’s career was marked by diligence and compassion. A fellow of the Institute of Development Administration of Nigeria, she was working on a 282-page seminar book, *Nigeria’s Democracy Sojourn: The Travails and Triumphs*, at the time of her death. Her legacy as a mentor, role model, and advocate for gender development and child welfare will endure.
The FCT Administration has yet to announce funeral arrangements, but tributes are already pouring in from across Nigeria. FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who worked closely with Mrs Adayilo, is expected to address the public soon. The FCT Indigenes Retired Senior Paramilitary Union, which previously praised her appointment, has called for community support in honouring her memory.
Mrs Adayilo’s passing is a significant loss to the FCT and Nigeria’s civil service. Her unwavering commitment to public service and her pioneering spirit will continue to inspire future generations.
