Meet Didi Esther Walson-Jack, Nigeria’s new civil service head

In this post, News360 Nigeria documents a brief profile of Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, new head of Nigeria’s civil service.

Didi Esther Walson-Jack, OON, has been named by President Bola Tinubu as the Head of the Federation’s Civil Service, effective August 14th, 2024.

She takes over this leadership role from Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, CFR, who is scheduled to retire on August 13th, 2024.

It is worthy to note that Mrs. Didi Walson had previously served in the capacity as permanent secretary in different government bodies before her new appointment.

Brief profile of Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack;

Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack graduated from the University of Lagos with a Bachelor of Laws in 1987 and was called to the Nigerian Bar a year after.

She has built a an excellent career in public service, spanning several decades and merritorious service and accomplishments.

Her journey began as a State Counsel in the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, and she has held such important positions across both state and federal levels.

Mrs. Walson-Jack has held permanent secretary positions in the Federal Ministries of Power, Water Resources, and Sanitation; the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs; and the Service Welfare Office of the Office of the Head of Service of the Civil Service of the Federation.

Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack was appointed by President Bola Tinubu to the position of Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education (FME) following her previous appointment by
President Muhammadu Buhari as permanent secretary in 2017.

She is married to Hon. Nimi Walson-Jack, a former General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association(NBA) and together, they have two children.

In addition to her work in public service, Mrs. Walson-Jack is a talented writer.

Her best-selling autobiography, “Roses in the Thorns,” chronicles her journey of resilience and triumph, providing insights into both her personal and professional lives.

Her wealth of experience and dedication to public service are evident in her numerous roles and achievements; She was honored as the African Iconic Female Administrator of the Year (2024), Public Administrator of the Year for Bayelsa State (2008), and the recipient of an Award of Excellence from the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs & the Wife of the Governor of Bayelsa State (2019).

Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack is also a member of Nigeria’s premier public policy think tank, the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies.

With effect from August 14, 2024, Mrs. Walson-Jack will assume her role as Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, representing a major turning point in her professional life.

In this role, she is expected to incorporate her integrity, inventiveness, and self discipline so as to bring about innovations and improvements in the Nigerian civil service.