In a gesture that underscores the human face of governance, President Bola Tinubu has offered automatic employment to the four children of Dr. Grace Adayilo, the late Head of the Civil Service of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The announcement, delivered by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike during Adayilo’s funeral at the National Ecumenical Centre, Abuja, moved mourners beyond grief, turning a solemn farewell into a moment of national reflection on the value of public service.
Wike described Adayilo as a “devoted, humble, and hardworking” administrator whose stewardship ensured prompt salary payments and boosted morale within the FCT Administration. Her quiet leadership, he said, earned her the admiration of colleagues and the trust of her community.

For many in attendance, Tinubu’s decision went beyond a single family—it was a symbolic acknowledgment of the sacrifices civil servants make for the nation. As one senior staff member whispered amid tears, “It tells us our work matters, even when we’re gone.”
The service gathered top government officials, civil servants, friends, and family to honour a woman remembered not only as a seasoned administrator but also as a motherly figure who mentored younger colleagues. Speakers urged Nigerians to mirror her dedication, noting that life’s fragility is a call to serve God and humanity wholeheartedly.
By extending support to Adayilo’s children, Tinubu has signalled that service to the country is not forgotten—and that even in loss, the nation stands with those who have stood for it.
