By Press Release
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Didi Esther Walson-Jack as Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
The appointment was stated in a statement released by Presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale Wednesday, July 17, and will take effect from August 14, 2024.
“Mrs. Walson-Jack was appointed Federal Permanent Secretary in 2017 and has served in several ministries.
“The new appointee will take over from the incumbent Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, CFR, who is due to retire on August 13, 2024,” Ngelale said in a statement.
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President Tinubu, who thanked the outgoing Head of Service for her stewardship, tasked the incoming Head of Service to discharge her duties with innovative flair, integrity, and stringent adherence to the extant rules and regulations of the Civil Service of the Federation.
Her Profile
Mrs Walson-Jack is married to Hon. Nimi Walson-Jack, a former General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
She was appointed as Federal Permanent Secretary in 2017 and has served in various ministries.
Born and raised in Nigeria, she obtained her law degree from the University of Lagos and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1984. She later earned a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Abuja.
Mrs. Walson-Jack’s career in public service began in 1985 as a State Counsel in the Rivers State Ministry of Justice. She later joined the Bayelsa State Ministry of Justice as a pioneer staff member in 1996, where she played a crucial role in establishing foundational legal and administrative structures in the state. She served as the only certified Legal Drafter in Bayelsa State, establishing and administering the Legal Drafting Department of the Ministry of Justice and the Legal Department of the State House of Assembly.
In the Federal Civil Service, Mrs. Walson-Jack served as an Assistant Director in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, where she was later promoted to Deputy Director.
She demonstrated exceptional leadership and administrative skills during her secondment to the Bayelsa State Government, holding key positions such as Deputy Chief of Staff, pioneer Commissioner of Science, Technology and Manpower Development, and Chief of Staff, Government House.