In a move to acknowledge the remarkable contributions of civil servants to national development, the Federal Government has awarded 18 outstanding public servants with new sports utility vehicles, laptops, and other valuable prizes. This recognition highlights their dedication to reforming and improving the civil service.
The awards were presented at the 2025 Civil Service Awards Night held on Saturday in Abuja. Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, described the recipients as “quiet reformers whose daily efforts often go unnoticed but are critical to national development.” She praised their commitment to excellence, integrity, and discipline in a demanding work environment.
“They show up on time, meet deadlines, write policies, fix systems, and still manage to maintain a smile,” Walson-Jack remarked. “Tonight, we pause to acknowledge the busyness and say: we see you. We thank you. We honour you.”
Among the awardees, Dr. Bahijjatu Hadiza of the Federal Ministry of Environment received the prestigious presidential star prize, which included an SUV, a laptop, an award plaque, a foreign short course, a masterclass programme, and a certificate. Chukwudi Ekwenugo from the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy was also honoured with an SUV, N500,000 cash, a laptop, and a foreign short course.
Other winners received cash prizes ranging from N250,000 to N500,000, alongside laptops and other rewards. Walson-Jack encouraged civil servants not recognized this year to remain steadfast, saying, “Recognition may take time, but it will come. Do your work so well that it cannot be ignored.”
She expressed disappointment with some MDAs for failing to submit nominations or presenting candidates who did not meet the award criteria, urging greater seriousness in future.
The awards ceremony followed the first-ever International Civil Service Conference held at Eagle Square earlier in the week, which drew over 5,000 delegates globally to discuss public sector innovations. Two federal ministries were also honoured during the event.
Walson-Jack lauded President Bola Tinubu’s support for civil service reforms, noting progress in digitisation, performance management, and welfare initiatives such as the new minimum wage and pension reforms. She stressed the need for punctuality and discipline, urging civil servants to resume work by 8:00 am as a demonstration of respect for the system and citizens.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, who represented the President, praised the dedication of Nigeria’s civil servants, describing them as the backbone of governance and national development. He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to reforms that promote merit, innovation, and accountability in the public service.