The Federal Government has honoured 18 outstanding civil servants with a range of rewards, including SUVs, laptops, cash prizes, and professional development opportunities. These awards recognize their dedication and exceptional service to the nation.
The award ceremony took place on Saturday night at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja. In addition to the 18 individuals, two Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) were also acknowledged for promoting excellence in public service.
Speaking at the event, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, described the honourees as “unsung heroes” who keep the public service running smoothly. She noted that this awards night marked the end of Civil Service Week, which included the first-ever International Civil Service Conference (ICSC) held in Abuja.
She praised the recipients as “quiet reformers” who show discipline, meet deadlines, write policies, and improve systems while maintaining a positive attitude. She stressed the importance of recognising these workers, saying, “We see you. We thank you. We honour you.”
Walson-Jack also explained that the awards ceremony is now a permanent part of the civil service calendar. It serves as a platform to celebrate those whose efforts often go unnoticed.
She highlighted President Bola Tinubu’s support for civil service reforms. She said his Renewed Hope Agenda shows a strong commitment to fairness, innovation, and reward. His presence at the recent ICSC opening further demonstrated his dedication to transforming the civil service.
She praised ongoing reforms such as the new minimum wage, pension improvements, digitisation, and better welfare packages. She also stressed the importance of punctuality, calling on civil servants to treat the 8 a.m. resumption time as a culture of respect.
She encouraged those who were not recognised this year to continue working hard, saying, “Recognition may take time, but it will come. Do your work so well that it cannot be ignored.”
Walson-Jack expressed concern about MDAs that did not submit nominations or sent in unqualified candidates. She urged them to take future editions more seriously.
Among the awardees, Dr. Bahijjatu Hadiza from the Federal Ministry of Environment received the presidential star prize, which included an SUV, laptop, plaque, award certificate, a foreign short course, and a masterclass opportunity.
Chukwudi Ekwenugo from the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy received an SUV, ₦500,000 cash, a laptop, and similar training opportunities.
Other recipients got laptops, cash prizes ranging from ₦250,000 to ₦500,000, housing benefits, and professional development packages.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, who represented President Tinubu, praised the resilience and commitment of Nigerian civil servants. He described them as the backbone of governance and national development.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a public service based on merit, innovation, and accountability.
