Grace Adayilo, the first female and indigenous Head of Service (HoS) of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has died.
Adayilo, popularly known as Mama Africa, reportedly passed away in the early hours of Monday, September 1. Her death was confirmed by Danladi Jeji, president of the Original Inhabitants Development Association of Abuja (OIDA), who revealed that he had been collaborating with her on a project.
“Mama Africa and me 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 added: “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.”
Lere Olayinka, senior special assistant on public communications and social media to the FCT minister, also confirmed her passing, stating that she “passed out early this morning.”
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike described Adayilo’s death as “sad and unfortunate,” noting her role in shaping the administration and her trailblazing achievements.
Adayilo was appointed by President Bola Tinubu on October 6, 2024, as the first female and indigenous HoS of the FCT, a historic appointment that broke both gender and geographical barriers. Before then, she had served as the permanent secretary of the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat.
Her last official outing was on Thursday, August 28, when she represented Minister Wike at the G7 security meeting in Abuja.
