Nigeria’s civil service community is mourning the death of Mrs Grace Adayilo, the pioneer Head of the Civil Service of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Adayilo reportedly passed away in the early hours of Monday, 1 September 2025.
Her death was confirmed in a brief text message to journalists by Anthony Odey, Special Assistant on Media to the HoS, who wrote simply: “Yes, please.” No further details have yet been released about the circumstances surrounding her passing.
Appointed by President Bola Tinubu on 6 October 2024, Adayilo made history as both the first-ever HoS of the FCT and the first woman to hold the position. Prior to her elevation, she had served as Permanent Secretary of the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat.
Her appointment was widely seen as a milestone for women in leadership within the nation’s bureaucracy.
As of press time, neither her family nor the FCT Administration has issued an official statement on her death.
