Grace Adayilo, first female FCT HoS, is dead

Grace Adayilo, the first female head of service of the federal capital territory (FCT), is dead.

Adayilo, who was also known as Mama Africa, passed away in the early hours of Monday.

Her death was confirmed by Danladi Jeji, president of the Original Inhabitants Development Association of Abuja (OIDA), who said he was collaborating with her on a project.

“Mama Africa and I were planning to celebrate Her Excellency, the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, today, Monday September 1, 2025. Now, our creator has done it for us by calling Mama Africa home to be with the Lord,” Jeji said.

In a tribute posted on the FCT stakeholders’ assembly platform, Jeji wrote: “You have finished the race. You have done it. My heart is very, very heavy. The God Almighty who is all in all has called you to be with him.”

Her death was also confirmed by Lere Olayinka, senior special assistant on public communications and social media to the FCT minister, who said she “passed out early this morning”.

Nyesom Wike, FCT minister, described Adayilo’s passing as sad.

“Her death is really sad and unfortunate,” he said during a media chat on Monday.

President Bola Tinubu appointed Adayilo as head of the civil service of the FCT on October 6, 2024, with the appointment taking immediate effect.

She made history as the first HoS and the first female HoS of the FCT.

Before her appointment, Adayilo served as permanent secretary of the agriculture and rural development secretariat.