MRS. Winifred Oyo-Ita Ekanem has taken oath of office as the third woman Head of Civil Service of the Federation, (HoCSF). President Muhammadu Buhari presided over the swearing-in ceremony at the Aso Council Chambers, State House Abuja.

The swearing-in ceremony preceded the first Federal a Executive Council, (FEC) for 2016, and the third in the life of the present administration. Oyo-Ita was appointed Acting Head of Service on October 21 last year, sequel to the retirement of Mr. Danladi Kifasi, who occupied the position.

Mrs. Oyo-Ita, 51, hails from Cross River State and was before her new appointment, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology.

She attended Queens College Yaba and got her B.Sc in Accounting at the University of Lagos in 1984. She holds a Master’s degree from the Nasarawa State University and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).

Oyo-Ita was also the Director, Finance and Accounts at the Office of Head of Civil Service of the Federation. Before her as female HoCSF were Engr. Ebele Okeke, who was the first female HoCSF between July 2007-July, 2008, followed by Ms. Ama Pepple, who was appointed in June 2008.