President Bola Tinubu presided over a crucial meeting of the Federal Executive Council on Monday, marked by the swearing-in of Mrs. Esther Didi Walson-Jack as the new Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. The ceremony, held in Abuja, was highlighted by President Tinubu’s call for integrity and transparency in the public service.
Following the swearing-in, President Tinubu addressed Mrs. Walson-Jack, urging her to uphold the principles of integrity and transparency in her new role. “Your position is vital to the smooth operation of our nation’s administration. Serve with honesty and dedication,” Tinubu emphasized.
The President also took the opportunity to pay tribute to the outgoing Head of the Civil Service, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan, praising her tenure as exceptional. “We must learn from her commitment to duty, loyalty, and vision. Dr. Yemi-Esan served our nation with distinction, steering the civil service through significant transformations and reforms,” Tinubu stated. He further acknowledged her contributions to enhancing efficiency, transparency, and professionalism, setting a high standard for public administration in Nigeria.
In her remarks to the media, Mrs. Walson-Jack expressed her gratitude to President Tinubu for entrusting her with the role and thanked Dr. Yemi-Esan for her mentorship. “I am deeply honored by this appointment and thankful for the confidence placed in me. I also extend my heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Yemi-Esan for her guidance throughout my career. I am committed to building on the existing reforms and introducing innovations that will make the civil service more effective and efficient in delivering on the Renewed Hope Agenda,” she said.
Mrs. Walson-Jack, a seasoned public servant with a distinguished career, holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Lagos and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1987. Her public service journey began in 1992 as a state counsel in Rivers State, eventually rising to the position of Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary in Bayelsa State. In 2009, she joined the Federal Civil Service and was appointed Permanent Secretary in 2017. Throughout her career, she has held key positions in various ministries, including Power, Water Resources, and Education.
Her notable achievements include spearheading the Federal Integrated Staff Housing Programme (FISH) and contributing significantly to labor relations and the national minimum wage. Mrs. Walson-Jack is an Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) and an alumna of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru. She is also the author of the novel, Roses in the Thorns.
As the newly appointed Head of the Civil Service, Mrs. Walson-Jack is poised to continue the legacy of her predecessor while introducing new reforms aimed at enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of Nigeria’s civil service.
