FCT’s First Female Head of Service, Grace Adayilo, Passes Away

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has lost a pioneering civil servant. Mrs. Grace Adayilo, the first female and indigenous Head of the Civil Service of the FCT, passed away in the early hours of Monday, September 1, 2025. Confirming the news, Anthony Odey, Special Assistant on Media to the Head of Service, sent a brief message acknowledging her death, although no details have emerged surrounding the circumstances.

Mrs. Adayilo made history not only as the first female Head of Service but also the first indigenous person to hold the position in the FCT Administration. She was appointed to the role by President Bola Tinubu on October 6, 2024, with immediate effect. Before assuming this leadership role, she served as the Permanent Secretary of the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, where she was known for her dedication and administrative excellence.

Sources report that Mrs. Adayilo slumped and passed away suddenly after attending a church service the previous day, where she appeared in good health and made donations to her congregation. Her last official engagement was representing the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, at a G7 security meeting in Abuja on the preceding Thursday.

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As of this report, the family and FCT Administration have yet to release an official statement on her passing. Mrs. Adayilo’s death marks the loss of a trailblazer who significantly impacted the civil service landscape of Nigeria’s capital territory.

Her legacy as a civil servant and a pastor who championed peace and leadership development remains influential. Tributes from various quarters are expected as details of arrangements for her funeral are awaited.