Mrs. Grace Adayilo, the first female and indigenous Head of Civil Service of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has died in the early hours of Monday, September 1, 2025. She reportedly slumped and passed out, with the exact cause of death yet to be determined.
President Bola Tinubu appointed Adayilo as the pioneering FCT Head of Service in October 2024, marking a historic milestone as the first woman and local indigene to hold the position. Prior to her appointment, she served as the Permanent Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat in the FCT Administration.
Her last official engagement was representing the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, at a G7 security meeting in Abuja on Thursday, August 28, 2025. She was widely respected for her dedication to public service and commitment to improving bureaucratic efficiency in alignment with the federal government's agenda.
Many have mourned her sudden passing, including FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who described the news as sad and unfortunate. Tributes have poured in recognizing her legacy as a trailblazer in the FCT civil service.