Who is Didi Walson-Jack? 7 things to know about Nigeria’s new civil service chief

Seven things you should know about Esther Walson-Jack are worth being aware of:

Over the course of several decades, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack has developed an incredible career in public service. She started her career at the Rivers State Ministry of Justice as a State Counsel, and she has held a number of important roles at the state and federal levels. Her many roles and accomplishments reflect her depth of knowledge and commitment to public service.

Mrs. Walson-Jack was one of the first employees of the newly established Bayelsa State Civil Service and the Bayelsa State Ministry of Justice after the state was established in October 1996. She was instrumental in the state’s establishment of the fundamental judicial and administrative systems.

Mrs. Walson-Jack founded and oversaw the Legal Department of the State House of Assembly and the Legal Drafting Department of the Ministry of Justice, serving as the sole licenced legal drafter in Bayelsa State. From 1996 to 1999, she was in charge of writing all of the directives issued by Military Administrators, and from 1999 to 2002, she was in charge of writing the executive bills that the State House of Assembly passed into law.

Mrs Walson-Jack began her career in the Federal Civil Service as an Assistant Director in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, rising to the position of Deputy Director. During her secondment to the Bayelsa State Government, where she held important roles including Deputy Chief of Staff and the first Commissioner of Science, Technology, and Manpower Development, and Chief of Staff, Government House, her leadership and administrative abilities were further displayed.

Mrs. Walson-Jack has received many honours for her services to the public sector. In addition to being voted African Iconic Female Administrator of the Year (2024), she was also selected Public Administrator of the Year for Bayelsa State (2008) and was awarded an Award of Excellence by the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs & the Wife of the Governor of Bayelsa State (2019). She is also a member of Nigeria’s premier public policy think tank, the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies.

In addition to her work in public service, Mrs. Walson-Jack is an accomplished author. Her best-selling autobiography, “Roses in the Thorns,” provides insights into her personal and professional life while chronicling her path of resiliency and victory.

A major turning point in Mrs. Walson-Jack’s career has been reached with her appointment as Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, which takes effect on August 14, 2024. She replaces Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, CFR, and is anticipated to bring her integrity, inventiveness, and strict adherence to the guidelines with her.

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