The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) is heartbroken by the sudden passing of Honourable Madam Grace Adayilo, Head of Service of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who departed this life on the morning of Monday, 1 September 2025.
We extend our deepest condolences to her family, loved ones, the Original Inhabitants of the FCT, and the thousands of civil servants she led with unwavering integrity, vision, and compassion.
Madam Grace Adayilo, affectionately known as Mama Africa among her people, was more than a public servant. She was a symbol of resilience, a voice for the voiceless, and a fierce advocate for justice. Rising through the ranks of the civil service, she shattered ceilings to become the first indigenous woman to hold the esteemed office of Head of Service in the FCT.
Her leadership was marked by courage, clarity, and an unrelenting commitment to the dignity of her people.
As an indigene of the FCT, Madam Grace never turned away from the painful realities faced by her community. She spoke truth to power, decrying the systemic marginalization of Original Inhabitants and using every platform, personal and official, to champion their cause.
Her legacy is etched in the hearts of those who witnessed her tireless efforts to uplift the forgotten and empower the underserved.
In 2023, Madam Grace stood tall on the global stage as part of CHRICED’s delegation to the 16th session of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP) in Geneva, Switzerland.
Draped in the vibrant regalia of her people, she brought the story of FCT’s indigenous struggle to the world’s attention.
That historic moment not only amplified the voices of the Original Inhabitants but also catalyzed their inclusion in governance and decision-making spaces.
Her tenure as Head of Service was transformative.
She spearheaded reforms that modernized civil service operations, prioritized staff welfare, digitized administrative processes, and fostered inter-agency collaboration. She led not with ego, but with empathy, always asking, “How can we serve better?”
Madam Grace Adayilo was not just an ally of CHRICED; she was family. Her passing leaves a void that cannot be filled, but her legacy will continue to inspire our work and fuel our resolve.
We mourn not only a leader, but a luminary whose life was a testament to purpose, passion, and the power of principled service.
