Tributes: FCT Minister Nyesom Wike Mourns Passing of Head of Service, Grace Adayilo

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has led a wave of tributes following the sudden death of the FCT Head of Civil Service, Mrs. Grace Adayilo. Adayilo, a public servant who made history as the first indigenous and female to hold the position, reportedly passed away in the early hours of Monday, September 1, 2025.

In a statement confirming the death, Wike’s office expressed deep sorrow over the loss, noting the significant impact she had in her short but effective tenure. Her appointment by President Bola Tinubu in October 2024 was seen as a key step in strengthening the FCT’s civil service. Before her elevation, she served as the Permanent Secretary of the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, where her commitment to dedicated and reform-driven leadership earned her respect.

The circumstances surrounding her death remain unclear, with no official cause announced. Reports from close associates and officials, however, indicate that she had been in good health just hours before her passing, having attended a church service and ministered on Sunday. The FCT administration and her family are expected to provide more details in due course.

Grace Adayilo’s passing is a profound loss for the FCT, as she was a beacon of dedication and a symbol of progress in the administration. Wike’s tribute underscores her importance to the FCT’s civil service and its ongoing reform agenda.