DIDI JACK WALSON-A PUBLIC SERVICE GURU

Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack has built a remarkable career in public service, spanning several decades. Her journey began as a State Counsel in the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, and she has held various significant positions across both state and federal levels. Her wealth of experience and dedication to public service are evident in her numerous roles and achievements.

Following the creation of Bayelsa State in October 1996, Mrs. Walson-Jack was among the pioneer staff of the Bayelsa State Ministry of Justice and the newly formed Bayelsa State Civil Service. She played a crucial role in establishing foundational legal and administrative structures in the state.


Mrs Diiarau Didi Esther Walson-Jack was born on 27th of August,1966 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. She is 58 years old as at 2024. She celebrates her birthday on 27th of August, 2024.

Didi Esther Walson- Jack originally hails from Bayelsa State, Nigeria. She is a native of Tombia – Ekpetiama in Bayelsa State. She is Ijaw by tribe, and Anglican by religion.


She was born into the family of HRH Christian Okpofaa as father and Mrs Timikoru Beauty Otobotekeree. She has other siblings, both brother ls and sisters.


Didi Walson-Jack is a Christian, a Lay Reader and a Knight of the Anglican Communion. She is married to Hon. Nimi Walson-Jack, a former General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association and Nigeria’s leading Civic Educator and they have two children, noth of whom are lawyers. Her hobbies include Reading, Public Speaking and Counselling.


She holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Lagos, and was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 1987. She holds Certificates in Legislative Drafting from the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Lagos, and the California State Senate, U.S.A. Mrs. Walson-Jack is a Certified Conflict Resolution and Peace Building practitioner.



Her hard work earned her the enviable dual position of Solicitor-General of Bayelsa State and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice in July 2002. She held that position and made significant inputs to the State in that capacity.


In 2009, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, transferred to the Federal Civil Service and was given the position of Assistant Director. Her career with the Federal Civil Service commenced at the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs where she served as pioneer State Co-ordinator of the Rivers State Office of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. She was later promoted to the post of a Deputy Director (Appointments, Promotion and Discipline) at the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Abuja.


First appointed as a Permanent Secretary in 2017 by then-President Buhari, Mrs. Walson-Jack has demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment in various capacities, including her roles as Permanent Secretary in the Service Welfare Office of the Office of the Head Of Service of the Civil Service of the Federation, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, and the Federal Ministries of Power, Water Resources, and Sanitation.


As the only certified Legal Drafter in Bayelsa State, Mrs. Walson-Jack established and administered the Legal Drafting Department of the Ministry of Justice and the Legal Department of the State House of Assembly. She was responsible for drafting all edicts promulgated by Military Administrators from 1996 to 1999 and executive bills enacted as laws by the State House of Assembly from 1999 to 2002.


As the Federal Civil Service, Mrs. Walson-Jack served as an Assistant Director in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, where she was later promoted to Deputy Director. Her leadership and administrative skills were further demonstrated during her secondment to the Bayelsa State Government, where she held key positions such as Deputy Chief of Staff, pioneer Commissioner of Science, Technology and Manpower Development, and Chief of Staff, Government House.

Beyond her public service career, Mrs. Walson-Jack is an accomplished author. Her best-selling autobiography, “Roses in the Thorns,” details her journey of resilience and triumph, offering insights into her personal and professional life.


Mrs. Diiarau Didi Esther Walson-Jack, until her redeployment to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, was the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office (SWO), Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF). She assumed duty in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs on Friday, 1st August, 2019, and was later redeployed and to resume in the Federal Ministry of Power on Monday, 23rd December, 2019.


Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack is an alumna of the prestigious National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau State, Nigeria. Her other memberships include the Nigerian Bar Association, International Bar Association, and Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International (FGBMFI). She is a former Chairperson of The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Bayelsa State Branch, Founder and President of the Legislative Drafters Network of Nigeria (LEGISNET) and the initiator of GIFTED WOMEN a mentoring class for young ladies; she is also a member, of Commonwealth Association of Public Administration (CAPAM), and Member, Chartered Institute of Personnel Management. She served as Assistant Secretary General, Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI) (2009 – 2012). She is also an award recipient of several renowned institutes and organisations.


Mrs. Walson-Jack’s contributions to public service have earned her numerous accolades. She was named African Iconic Female Administrator of the Year (2024), received an Award of Excellence from the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs & the Wife of the Governor of Bayelsa State (2019), and was recognized as Public Administrator of the Year for Bayelsa State (2008). She is also a member of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Nigeria’s foremost public policy think tank