HEAD OF SERVICE… Aduda, Adebiyi In Final Race To Replace Yemi-Esan
The permanent secretary in the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Ambassador Gabriel Aduda, and his State House counterpart, Olusesan Adebiyi, are currently awaiting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision on who will succeed Mrs. Folashade Yemi-Esan as the Head of the Service of the Federation. Yemi-Esan is set to retire next month.
An investigation by First Class Gists has revealed that Aduda and Adebiyi are among 10 permanent secretaries in the Federal Civil Service vying for Yemi-Esan’s position, who will retire on August 13 upon reaching the age of 60. She was born on August 13, 1964. The panel established by the Presidency to screen candidates for this top civil service role has reportedly narrowed the list from 10 to 2.
Eight permanent secretaries were eliminated for not meeting the standards required for the appointment of a new leader for the nation’s top civil service. First Class Gists learned that Yemi-Esan’s preferred candidate was among those who did not make the final cut.
Reliable sources within the Presidency informed First Class Gists on Sunday that Aduda and Adebiyi have been recommended to President Tinubu for consideration and the eventual appointment to fill the vacancy created by Yemi-Esan’s anticipated retirement. A presidency source told First Class Gists on Sunday that President Tinubu is expected to announce his decision soon.
“With the recommendation of Aduda and Adebiyi, Mr. President is now tasked with choosing one of them as the new Head of Service of the Federation (HoSCF). It is Mr. President’s prerogative to make this decision. He may even consider other candidates, but the panel has completed its work and made recommendations based on its findings,” the source said. Yemi-Esan has less than one month remaining in office.
Aduda is the most senior yet the youngest permanent secretary in the federal civil service. Born on October 25, 1971, he has served as permanent secretary in the ministries of foreign affairs, youth and sports development, petroleum resources, and political and economic affairs in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. Aduda, who joined the federal civil service in 1999, is currently the governor of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in Nigeria. He hails from the Federal Capital Territory in the North Central geopolitical zone.
His competitor, Adebiyi, was the permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health before his current position in the State House, to which he was redeployed by President Tinubu in August 2023. Born in Kabba, Kogi State, on January 8, 1968, Adebiyi is from Ekiti State.
A source informed this newspaper that both Aduda and Adebiyi are diligently working to secure the top civil service position, causing a divide among President Tinubu’s top aides.
“Aduda and Adebiyi are actively lobbying for Mr. President’s approval. They are leveraging contacts both domestically and internationally to influence Mr. President’s decision. Even the close aides of Mr. President are involved, each backing their preferred candidate and applying pressure to secure the President’s endorsement. This has led to tensions and disagreements among key figures close to the President,” the source, who requested anonymity, added.
Presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale did not respond to efforts to obtain his comments on the matter, ignoring calls and text messages.
Tinubu Rejects Yemi-Esan’s Request for Tenure Extension
Reliable sources in the Presidency also informed First Class Gists that President Tinubu rejected Yemi-Esan’s request for a tenure extension. Following this refusal, Yemi-Esan attempted to support one permanent secretary as her successor, a move that President Tinubu also resisted.
