Meet Didi Walson-Jack: The new Head of Civil Service of the Federation

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack as the new Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, with effect from August 14, 2024.

Mrs Walson-Jack was appointed as Federal Permanent Secretary in 2017 and has served in various ministries.

Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack has had a distinguished career in public service, spanning several decades. She began her journey as a State Counsel in the Rivers State Ministry of Justice and has since held various significant positions across both state and federal levels. Her wealth of experience and dedication to public service are evident in her numerous roles and achievements.

Early Life and Education:

Mrs. Walson-Jack was 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.

Career:

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.

Achievements and Recognition:

Mrs. Walson-Jack’s contributions to public service have earned her numerous accolades. She was named African Iconic Female Administrator of the Year (2024), received an Award of Excellence from the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs & the Wife of the Governor of Bayelsa State (2019), and was recognized as Public Administrator of the Year for Bayelsa State (2008). She is also a member of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Nigeria’s foremost public policy think tank.

Published Author:

Beyond her public service career, Mrs. Walson-Jack is an accomplished author. Her best-selling autobiography, “Roses in the Thorns,” details her journey of resilience and triumph, offering insights into her personal and professional life.

New Role:

Mrs. Walson-Jack’s appointment as Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, effective August 14, 2024