By Prosper Mene
In a bid to ensure continuity in the administration of Nigeria’s capital city, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has approved the appointment of Mrs Nancy Sabanti Nathan as the Acting Head of Service of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
The announcement, made public on Tuesday, comes just over a week after the sudden passing of the previous Head of Service, Mrs. Grace Adayilo, leaving a critical leadership vacuum in the FCT’s civil service.
The appointment was disclosed in a statement issued by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister.
Olayinka emphasized that Nathan’s role is in an acting capacity, pending the selection and confirmation of a substantive Head of Service. “The appointment takes immediate effect,” the statement read, pointing the urgency to maintain seamless operations in the FCTA, which oversees the governance, infrastructure, and public services in Abuja and surrounding areas.
Mrs. Adayilo, who served as the FCTA’s Head of Service until her death on September 1, 2025, was a veteran administrator whose contributions to the territory’s development were widely acknowledged.
Her untimely demise has prompted this interim leadership transition to avoid any disruptions in policy implementation and administrative functions.
Prior to her elevation, Mrs. Nancy Sabanti Nathan, mni (Member of the National Institute), held the position of Permanent Secretary in the FCTA’s Youth Development Secretariat. She brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously served as Director of Finance and Administration in the office of the FCT Minister.
Nathan’s career journey highlights her expertise in financial management, youth empowerment programs, and administrative oversight, qualities deemed essential for steering the FCTA through this transitional period.
The FCTA, as the administrative arm of the Federal Capital Territory, plays a pivotal role in urban planning, security, education, health, and economic development for over 3 million residents in Abuja.
Nathan’s interim leadership is expected to focus on sustaining ongoing initiatives, including Wike’s ambitious infrastructure projects and efforts to enhance youth engagement in the capital.
