Shock as FCT Head of Service, Grace Adayilo Passes Away
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has been thrown into mourning following the sudden death of Mrs. Grace Adayilo, the Head of the Civil Service of the FCT.
Adayilo, who was appointed on October 6, 2024, by President Bola Tinubu, made history as the first-ever Head of Service of the FCT, and notably, the first woman to hold the position.
Reports on Monday indicated that she collapsed in the early hours of the day and could not be revived.
Confirmation of her passing was given by senior aides in the administration, including Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the FCT, and Anthony Odey, her Special Assistant on Media.
Until her death, Adayilo was at the heart of Abuja’s governance structure. Only last Thursday, she represented the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, at the G7 security meeting in Abuja, a development that underscored both her active role and the unexpected nature of her passing.
Born an indigene of Abuja, Adayilo’s civil service career spanned decades. She rose through the system with a reputation for diligence and integrity, serving most recently as Permanent Secretary of the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat before her historic elevation. Her appointment was widely celebrated at the time as a progressive step towards inclusion and recognition of women and indigenous staff within the FCTA.
Minister Wike expressed shock and grief over her death, describing it as a “monumental loss to the administration and the entire workforce of the Federal Capital Territory.”
He noted that her leadership brought stability to the civil service, and her passing would leave a vacuum that would be difficult to fill.
Tributes have begun pouring in from colleagues and associates across the country, many of whom hailed her as a trailblazer for women in public service and a dedicated reformer who gave her best to the service of the FCT.
As at press time, neither her family nor the administration had released details regarding the cause of death or funeral arrangements.
Adayilo’s sudden passing marks the end of a pioneering journey in Abuja’s civil service, leaving behind a legacy of resilience, professionalism, and leadership.
